Shropshire Teenager Named Young Good Citizen 2010

West Mercia Police Young Good Citizen of the Year 2010 winner Jess Lester and Chief Constable Paul WestA teenager from Shropshire has received a prestigious award from West Mercia Police at a special ceremony that celebrated outstanding acts of citizenship by young people.

At a gala event at Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester on Thursday (21 October) Jess Lester, aged 15 and from Shrewsbury, was named as West Mercia Police's Young Good Citizen of the Year by Chief Constable Paul West.   

She was chosen from a group of eleven young finalists aged 18 and under, who themselves were selected from almost 100 nominees from across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire for their acts of generosity and displays of community spirit that have made a difference to other people's lives.

These young people have collected thousands of pounds for charity, cared for those who are seriously ill, overcome life-threatening illness, bereavement and prejudice, and helped the elderly, the young and those with disabilities.

Jess does so much for everyone she knows. Alongside her mother, she has been a carer from a young age for her brother Paul, who is aged 12 and has special needs. Despite this, she is always helping others in many, sometimes small and unnoticed, ways.

She helps raises money at community events and has given personal items for raffles; has helped young people who have been bereaved or had parents with cancer; helps young mums in the neighbourhood by playing with their children and keeping them off the roads, and also teaches the children road safety; organised litter picks on the wasteland near her home; keeps a diary of anti-social behaviour the other children on the estate are suffering with and passes this information on to her local community support officers.

She even sweeps glass off the roads at night so those in her community who use mobility scooters do not get flat tyres. 

On hearing that she was the recipient, Jess said: "I am so happy to receive this award. It's totally unexpected because I was really surprised just to be nominated. I'm overwhelmed."

Mr West added: "The Young Good Citizen Award is important to West Mercia Police and very close to my heart because for a number of years now the award has highlighted the exceptional contribution that many young people make to local communities across West Mercia.

"Tonight's nominees have carried on that tradition.  We are all very proud of them and what they have achieved and welcome the opportunity to celebrate their success.  Selecting Jess as the overall Young Good Citizen was an almost impossible task from such a great group of young people, but her special recognition is hugely well deserved."

Issued: Friday 22 October 2010