Barry sixteen year old Eleri Borges has been nominated for the Kids Count Inspiration Award 2017 and will be attending the awards ceremony later this year in Westminster.
Eleri, a previous St Andrews Major school pupil, has been recognised through the nomination for her outstanding voluntary work in and around her hometown of Barry. The nomination is for Kids Count’s Inspiration award which is given by the youth-led charity to young individuals who go that extra mile to improve their local area.
Despite having only sat her own GCSEs this year, Eleri tutors other pupils on the best revision techniques, through a scheme called Step Up To GCSE. In addition, she trains young swimmers at the local leisure centre every week, and has even volunteered at a veterinarian surgery. Since losing her grandfather to cancer, Eleri has raised hundreds of pounds for Teenage Cancer Care as well as Marie Curie. Eleri is also a frequent foodbank volunteer and has participated in Kelloggs Corn Flakes’ scheme to provide low or no income families with a daily breakfast.
Upon receiving confirmation of the nomination, Eleri said, “I was completely surprised to be told that I had been nominated for such a prestigious award. I volunteer and fundraise because I want to give something back to my local community and help those around me. I never expected to be recognised in this way.”
Vale MP, Rt Hon Alun Cairns, who nominated Eleri for the award said, “Eleri is one of life’s leaders and is destined for great success. Intelligence aside, she is a caring and thoughtful individual who dedicates such a considerable amount of her own time to helping others. I sincerely hope that the Kids Count charity will recognise her hard work and reward her during the ceremony.”