Super Kid - Simply the best
A CARING teenager, who helps at home and has supported both parents through illness, has been named this year's Super Kid.
Grinning Alistair Penman (14) accepted his award with shock etched on his face and said "I'm not worthy".
The youngster, of Wimbotsham, walked away with the night's top award among a group of brave, hardworking and selfless stars at a ceremony at Lynn's Town Hall, where the nominees were reminded "you are all winners".
See also: Super Kids especially chosen for their strengths
Downham High School pupil Alistair has autism-related Aspergers Syndrome, asthma and a rare dysfunction in his larynx.
Despite all that he supports his mum, Lynnette, who has multiple sclerosis, and was there for his dad, William, as he battled cancer last year, while continuing to work hard at school.
Having been announced Super Kid 2007, Alistair said: "I wasn't expecting it. When I heard all the things all these other kids had done I couldn't believe they would pick me."
Alistair walked away with 300 for himself and a 200 charity donation, which he handed to Islington runner Maria Futter (29). Family friend Miss Futter, of High Road, is taking part in the London Marathon in memory of cystic fibrosis sufferer Nicola Cowen, the sister of a former Super Kid Lisa Cowen.
It was the 20th year of Super Kids, previously titled the Junior Citizen of the Year Awards and sponsors Premier Foods, West Norfolk Council, Norfolk Police and the Lynn News all had a presence at the ceremony on Tuesday night.
West Norfolk Mayor Kathy Mellish said: "This is probably the hardest event of mine for the whole year. You appreciate how humbling it is when these young people are so determined and care so much and it's completely selfless. They are doing it for other people's benefit, not for their own.
"We have got a wonderful bunch in here."
Lynn News editor Malcolm Powell added: "It has once again been an incredibly-inspiring evening. Everybody who has been nominated is a winner in their own right."
Winners
Talented sailor Fergus Barnham (15) was named winner of the award for sporting dedication.
The King Edward VII School pupil could not be at the ceremony as he is away training with the sailing national youth squad.
His teacher Mr Ken Banks collected the award on his behalf and read out a short message from the schoolboy.
Fergus, of North Wootton, told how he had felt happy and privileged to even be nominated. He donated his charity contribution to the RNLI, saying as a sailor he appreciated the dangers they face to save lives.
Among his sporting achievements, Fergus was selected for the 2006/07 Great Britain sailing team and ranked 12th in the squad and third in his age group. He also competed in the world championships and came 14th in his age group.He also manages to find time for football, cricket and rugby and recently showed a talent for tai chi during a trip to Beijing as part of the Toward the Olympics project.
Supportive Danielle Fox (12) won the outstanding initiative in difficult circumstances category after helping her mum and grandmother through serious illness.
Danielle, of Pentney, said: "I'm shocked."
Danielle has been a constant ray of sunshine and support to her mum, Tracy Fox (42), during surgery and treatment for breast cancer and her grandmother, who was later tragically diagnosed with first multiple sclerosis and then lung cancer.
She received 175 for herself and a 150 charity donation, which she gave to Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Shouldham Ward where her gran and mum have received treatment.
Dedicated Matthew Fysh got the award for achievement at home, at school, for an organisation or charity.
Long-serving volunteer Matthew (15) has given years of support to Vision Link, Lynn's talking newspaper for the blind and partially-sighted.
Matthew has put in seven to eight years with the charity, doing everything from unpacking recorded tapes and making address cards.
The youngster of North Lynn bagged himself 175 and nominated Vision Link for a 150 donation.
He said: "I really didn't expect to win tonight and I was quite nervous going up for my prize. The cheque should make a big difference to the talking newspaper."
Strong and brave Steven Porter won the category for personal courage in the face of sickness, disability, or some other setback.
The 12-year-old has not allowed his positive outlook to be dented despite facing illness and bereavement.
He and his younger brother William were rocks of support to their late grandmother Susan Smith when she was diagnosed with cancer and their mum Emma during her bereavement. They showed similar strength when their grandfather Paul Smith died a year later.
Then, Steven, of Marshland St James, was diagnosed with diabetes, meaning he has to inject himself with insulin every day and despite everything remained brave to quell the worries of friends and family.
Stephen said: "It feels great to have won, it came as a really nice surprise."
Like the other winners, Steven, who attends Marshland High School, in West Walton, got a 175 cheque for himself. He chose to donate his charity cheque to Breast Cancer Research.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 09 February 2012
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