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Posted on Thursday 29 April 2021
Young Heroes winners L-R Charlie Appleton, Benjamin Hawksby and Ethan Fletcher

Please meet our three Teesdale Young Hero winners for 2019/20!

Chief Constable Jo Farrell had the tough job of selecting the winners from the nine-strong group of winners who have all gone above and beyond for their communities. 

In third place was dedicated young carer, Charlie Appleton, who nominated by his teachers for his exceptional care for his mum Paula. 

The 16-year-old gives vital support by helping with shopping, cooking, cleaning and other jobs. 

And despite going above and beyond what most teenagers would do, Charlie is still an exemplary student and maintains high standards at school.

Second place went to Benjamin Hawskby, ten, who was devastated when he was told his younger brother, Joshua, had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

He hoped to raise a few hundred pounds when he decided to run the Raby Races with the help of a local running club but went on to raise more than £4,000 for the wards at the Newcastle Royal Infirmary where his brother was receiving treatment.  

And the top spot was awarded to Ethan Fletcher who won first place after he organised his own bake off for Cancer Research UK.

Ethan organised everything from booking his village hall to approaching local businesses for prizes and raised more than £600 for the charity.

He has also raised £300 for the North-East’s Heel & Toe children's charity, which supports children with Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities. Ethan has a mild form of Cerebral Palsy and has been determined to help the charity which he has used in the past.

The ten-year-old was the first monthly winner of the award which is a force-wide initiative to recognise young people who go the extra mile.

All three were awarded Amazon vouchers to the value of £50, £30 and £20.

CC Farrell praised all three youngsters for their achievements.

After having the difficult task of choosing an overall winner, she said: “Ethan has clearly put a lot of hard work into recreating his Bake off for Cancer Research UK by liaising with local businesses and arranging a venue to host the competition.

“Not only has Ethan raised money for Cancer Research UK but he’s also raised a significant amount of money for a charity that is close to his heart, North East Heel & Toe.

“He has showed great determination and vigour to make a difference for his community and two special charities.”

The Teesdale Young Hero Award has now been relaunched for 2021.

PCSO Liz Finn, who organises the Teesdale awards alongside PCSO Preet Singh, said: “We have been really impressed by all of the young people who were nominated for the Teesdale Young Hero award and it is always a hard task to pick a winner.

“Well done to everyone who took part and our three overall winners.

“We are excited to be launching the scheme again for this year and look forward to meeting some more outstanding young people.”

Nominees must be aged 18 or younger and live in the Teesdale area.

To nominate a young person email elizabeth.finn@durham.pnn.police.uk, send a message via this page or call into the Police Station.

 

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