Surrey Police have honoured the achievements and bravery of young people from Elmbridge in an awards ceremony.

The Elmbridge Young Persons of Honour Awards were presented to the 19 winners on May 10, recognising their hard work and dedication.

PC Phil Jebb, who co-organised the ceremony, said: “The awards gave us all an opportunity to celebrate the excellent examples of bravery, kindness and hard work achieved by these young people of the borough in the last year, many of whom are doing great things under very difficult circumstances.”

Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab, mayor of Elmbridge Janet Turner, and neighbourhood inspector David Hollingsworth presented the awards, which included categories such as Elmbridge role model.

The winners were young people fighting serious illnesses or personal adversity, young carers and youths who volunteered in their communities, raised money for charity or turned their lives around.

PC Jebb said: “Like so many in the room I was truly humbled and moved by the amazing stories I heard during the evening and I hope the awards go some way to remind these exceptionally gifted and courageous young people that all their hard work is being recognised.”

Mr Raab said: “Hats off to Lyn Hunt and the police volunteers who put together this terrific evening. It is always one of the most moving events I attend each year.

“It's a great way to highlight the tenacity, character, gumption and spirit of local youngsters who have come through tough times and real adversity.”

The awards ceremony was held at Imber Court, East Molesey. Surrey Police volunteers helped organise the evening, which also received funding from Elmbridge Council.

Schools and youth groups were asked to nominate eight to 18-year-olds who live or go to school in the borough and demonstrated outstanding achievements in the past year.

Elmbridge young persons of honour awards 2013 winners

Treeanna Finucane Cooke, 7 
Category: Role model
Looks after others at school, helps with problems, mediator

Lucy Kenyon, 9
Category: Personal adversity
Patient at Great Ormond Street

Carol Lock, 9 
Category: Young carer
Looks after mum in wheelchair, helps at home with housework & 4 siblings

Sophia Locke, 9
Category: Personal adversity
Lost mum to breast cancer, supports family in any way possible, positive attitude 

Ahmed Aldamsa, 13, Adam Aldamsa, 10, and Narmeen Aldamsa, 11
Category: Young carers
Children care for mum and run the home.

Amy Cooksey, 11
Category: Personal adversity
Serious medical conditions since baby, including mild cerebral palsy

Bella Symons, 12
Category: Citizenship
Coaches Badgers with Down's syndrome

Conor Wisson, 14
Category: Citizenship
Works with paragon housing trust, member of steering group for Walton youth club, works in Reemos café in the Cromwell Community Centre, St John’s Estate

Lily Manning, 14
Category: Citizenship
Raised over £500 for AZI – human trafficking charity, by babysitting, car boot and cake sales.

Benny Ross, 13, James Wilkinson, 13, and James Aylmer Hall, 12
Category: Citizenship
Raising money for Princess Alice Hospice by playing instruments and singing

Olivia Collins, 15
Category: Personal adversity
Cared for by gran

Sam Smedley, 16
Category: Citizenship (voluntary services in the community)
Outstanding services to St John Ambulance

Donna Pugh, 16
Category: citizenship
Turned herself around

Mia White, 16
Category: citizenship
Turned herself around – student at Brooklands College, volunteer work

Andrea Clark, 17
Category: young carer
Looks after mum following her leg amputation, dad works long hours. Still achieving in her GCSEs, now in sixth form

Bex Goodchild, 16
Category: Citizenship
Following her brother’s near fatal accident in 2011, Bex fundraises for air ambulance and heavenly stars. works 3 p/t jobs to contribute more to housekeeping & still fully focuses on A-levels.

Steven Knight, 19
Category: Citizenship
Turned himself around and is working p/t