Young people across the borough have been recognised for their efforts and achievements at a Jack Petchey Foundation award ceremony.

More than 140 winners gathered at Kingsford Community School across two evenings to be presented with their medallions.

Each had previously received a certificate and a cheque for £250 to be spent on something of their choice.

Among the 11- to 25-year-olds to collect an award was Chobham Academy pupil Aaron Hinton.

During lockdown, the 16-year-old set up a Facebook group that allowed more than 100 dogwalkers in his area to connect and socialise in a socially-distanced way while exercising their pets.

He decided to spend his £250 grant on electronic devices to help his classmates and said: “The Jack Petchey award has been a monumental experience and has inspired and motivated me to achieve more in my future.”

Newham Recorder: Ashley-Roxell Sanchez Lerebours was one of the award winnersAshley-Roxell Sanchez Lerebours was one of the award winners (Image: Jack Petchey Foundation)

Kingsford pupil Ashley-Roxell Sanchez Lerebours was another of the winners to be presented with their medallions on October 4 and 6.

The 12-year-old, who spent her money on acoustic guitars for the school's music club, was recognised for supporting a classmate who suffers from anxiety and struggles to come into school.

Her nomination detailed how she waits outside the school gates every morning to give the student a hug and walks into school with them, and has also brought the student into her friendship group.

Newham Recorder: Fatima Daanwi with her award.Fatima Daanwi with her award. (Image: Jack Petchey Foundation)

Fatima Daanwi, 15, was recognised for setting up Little Ilford School's Girls Club - a space for girls to come together to discuss issues and support each other - and is spending her grant money on resources for the club.

On attending the awards ceremony, Fatima said: "It was so nice to see all the other young people’s achievements and it made me realise there are so many talented and gifted young people out there.”

Newham Recorder: Newham College student Falone WetschiNewham College student Falone Wetschi (Image: Jack Petchey Foundation)

Newham College student Falone Wetschi was recognised for her ambassadorial role, working on a range of sports enrichment programmes as part of the student parliament and also being the Stratford campus's This Girl Can ambassador.

The 18-year-old organised projects to encourage girls to take up sports and spent her £250 on virtual activities throughout lockdown.

The Jack Petchey Foundation was set up in 1999 by the Plaistow-born businessman and philanthropist, and since then, more than 200,000 young people across east London and Essex have been recognised with an achievement award.