County award for Sport 4 NRG volunteer

Thanet district Council press release
A Margate teenager, nominated by Sport 4 NRG for his volunteering work with the scheme, has taken a top prize at a county wide competition.

Michael Dodson (16), who attends King Ethelbert school, was put forward for the Volunteering Excellence Awards 2008, organised by Kent County Council and one of three winners in the Kent Sports Development Awards section. He was presented with £400 to donate to a charity of his choice, which will be going to the NSPCC.

Michael started attending sessions with Thanet District Council’s Sport 4 NRG programme in 2006 and was keen to get involved with delivering the sessions, which aim to provide sporting opportunities for young people in Thanet and keep them occupied.. He then went on to attend a community sports course and gained his first aid certificate. He completed his “V” 50 hour award over the summer, but has now completed more than 200 hours with Sport 4 NRG.

He was described by the judges as being a “positive role model to troubled young people, showing patience, kindness and a willingness to listen. He is proof of the benefit of the scheme, as before becoming a volunteer, he was one of the young people for whom Sport 4 NRG was set up.”

James Gregory from Sport 4 NRG said: “For Michael to get this recognition is a real positive for him, as well as for all young people looking to volunteer. The skills that Michael has acquired through volunteering have led to further success in other aspects of his life. He’s gone on to enter further education and the volunteering work he’s done has given him the confidence to leave his comfort zone. Michael is evidence of what volunteering can achieve and shows why Sport 4 NRG is committed to offering further volunteering opportunities for its young people.”

Becky Stotesbury from VSU said: ‘Michael has been a fantastic ‘v’ volunteer, helping at a really wide range of events. I hope he will use his experiences on his CV in the future. Well done Michael!