INSIRATIONAL youngsters were celebrated for their impressive achievements.

A total of 85 young people from schools and organisations across Castle Point and Rochford came together to receive prestigious Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards during a special ceremony.

The event honoured Achievement Award winners, who received medallions to go with their framed certificate and a cheque for £250 each.

Mayor of Castle Point, Steve Cole, said: “With so much negativity reported about the youth of today, I suggest anyone doubting how amazing our young people are to attend a Jack Petchey Foundation Awards evening and not be blown away with all that these young people are doing.”

Winners included Tobi Omiyale, who attends the Appleton School, in Croft Road, Benfleet.

The 15-year-old was awarded for her dedication and commitment to enterprise activities since Year 7, regularly giving up her lunchtimes and working after school. This includes supporting the healthy eating tuck shop, Natwest Bank, Young Enterprise and the National Enterprise Challenge.

At the National Enterprise Challenge, Tobi took the lead role in delivering a presentation to an audience of over 1,000 people and a panel of judges including Dragons Den panellist Theo Paphitis.

At the end of the challenge Tobi took time out to write a guide for future students taking part.

Billy Reddish goes to FitzWimarc School, in Hockley Road, Rayleigh. Despite being just 15-years-old, when a woman on a bus passed out she stepped in to help and used her first aid skills to help the woman.

The youth manager at the Hawkwell and Hockley Unit of St John Ambulance was so impressed she contacted FitzWimarc School to inform them of Billy’s amazing act.

Kasey Wilkinson, 15, a member of Runnymede Swimming Club, in Kiln Road, Thundersley, also received an award.

In her seven years at the club she has accumulated numerous skills and distance badges - her latest being Rookie Lifeguard Gold 2.

Kasey works alongside a Level 2 swimming instructor, encouraging the children to swim with great enthusiasm.

Rochford District Council Chairman, Carole Weston, said: “These wonderful young people are all inspiring. It is good to know that they are our future generation. Well done to all the parents and Leaders for helping them be the outstanding young people they are today.”

Youth organisations and schools in Castle Point and Rochford have received funding of £452,223 from the foundation since funding started in 2007.

Sir Jack Petchey CBE, 91, founded the foundation in 1999 to recognise the positive contributions young people make and support them.