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Outstanding members of Woking’s community celebrated their achievements at the Mayor’s Civic Reception on Friday 26 April 2019.
The event, which recognises the dedication of Woking residents, was held at the H.G. Wells Conference and Events Centre, where the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Will Forster, announced Woking’s Eminent Citizen for 2019 and the winners of this year’s Young People’s Civic Award Scheme.
Liz Pocknell - Eminent Citizen
Liz was presented with the Eminent Citizen award in recognition for her outstanding contribution to Guiding and Scouting across the Borough.
As District Commissioner of Woking Scouts for the past eight years, Liz has stabilised the district and encouraged an attitude of kindness, sharing and communication. Liz has been awarded a number of long service awards in recognition of her 22 years as a Guide Leader and 23 years as a Scouter. Liz has also received the Award of Merit and more recently the Silver Acorn by the Scout Association for 20 years of especially distinguished service.
During her years of service, many young people have benefited from her dedication to Scouting and Guiding.
Woking District has enjoyed many notable achievements since Liz was appointed District Commissioner in 2011, including Jamborees in Sweden and Japan, creating a Special Needs Unit and now boasts 1,200 young people and 350 leaders.
Liz has lived in Woking for 32 years and continues to build on the achievements of Woking District Scouts.
Young People’s Civic Award Scheme
Now in its 23rd year, the Young People’s Civic Award Scheme aims to reward young people who make an outstanding contribution to the community whose work or achievements may not normally be recognised. The judging panel included representatives from Woking Borough Council, Woking Youth Council, Surrey Police, Sport Woking, and the voluntary sector. The winners of this year’s Young People’s Civic Award Scheme are below.
Kye Jarred - Outstanding Contribution to the Community
Kye is a remarkable young man who has raised money in support of Woking-based charity, York Road Project, supporting people who are facing or experiencing homelessness in the community.
Last year, aged just 12, Kye first raised money for the charity in order to provide care packages, carefully considering which packages should be included such as breakfast bars, socks and personalised messages of support.
A compassionate young man, Kye participated in a sleep-out in Woking Town Centre during November to raise money through sponsorship and created ‘Mission Kyndness’ in order to continue his fundraising for the charity and increase awareness. Kye raised £500 to buy 100 £5 Greggs vouchers so that people on the streets could buy a cup of coffee and something to eat.
Despite his young age, Kye has shown an extraordinary awareness and empathy for those less fortunate than himself.
Jaylen Simons - Outstanding Achievement
Jaylen attends Woking College and is an outstanding student who has balanced her study and incredible academic achievement alongside community work and her support for the College’s Student Union.
Jaylen has given up a great deal of her time to tutor a Syrian refugee, teaching English as a foreign language and helping her student both academically and aiding her assimilation into British life. Demonstrating her patience and understanding, Jaylen has helped her student to read and write in English, but also how to use slang and send text messages!
Jaylen holds the position of Learning and Teaching Officer on the Student Union following election by her fellow students. In recognition of Jaylen’s interest in political rights and issues, she recently received an award for ‘Women in Public Affairs’ by global women's group Zonta International.
A highly motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic student, Jaylen is also in the process of completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Grace Campbell - Triumph Over Adversity
Grace is a very courageous young lady who has undergone major surgery to remove a large ovarian tumour.
Despite being in pain and struggling with concentration, Grace was determined to continue her GCSEs and returned to school just two weeks after her operation. Remarkably, Grace only missed school when attending hospital appointments, even taking school work with her to hospital determined to do her best in her exams.
After attending a ‘Just Bead It’ day at University College London Hospital, which provides cancer support for young people, Grace successfully became a ‘Just Bead It’ peer trainer and now supports other young people facing similar experiences.
Grace is also an invaluable support to her mother, who is in a wheelchair.
Presentation
The Mayor of Woking presented each winner with a glass trophy, certificate, and vouchers including cinema tickets for two people (sponsored by The Ambassadors) and a £20 Woking Shopping gift card (sponsored by Woking Shopping).
Speaking about the awards, Cllr Will Forster, Mayor of Woking, said: “It was an honour to present awards to these exemplary members of our community, who have consistently gone above and beyond what is expected of them in their school, work or private lives, to help others overcome adversity. They are a true inspiration to us all.
“There are many individuals and voluntary groups in Woking that do fantastic work and make significant contributions to the lives of others. I would like to take the time to recognise everyone who I have met in my Mayoral year and thank them for their hard work and continued dedication to serving others in our Borough.”