Urban Hero Awards 2012: Volunteer Award

The Volunteer Award goes to Andy Walker.

Andy grew up in a single parent family and had many anger problems, which often got him into trouble at school and with his family. He smashed up his own home several times and regularly fought with his mum and sister. He was excluded from school more times than he can remember.

An encounter with our Eden Easterside team (Middlesbrough) in a local boxing gym started a chain of events which saw him turn his life around and become a real asset to his community as a volunteer in many ways.

He is an active helper in his local church and has helped raise funds to support other youngsters to attend summer camps. He also assists with a homeless soup kitchen once a week.

Says Tony Grainge, his nominating youth worker: ‘After talking to Andy’s mam she said the change in him is remarkable and even her friends have noticed the difference in him, saying Andy is a pleasure to be around now. I tell Andy he is not only the most reliable teenager I’ve ever met, but also one of the most reliable adults.’

More coverage of the 2012 Urban Hero Awards.

Watch all of the video testimonies from this year’s Urban Hero Awards.