An inspiring and memorable evening took place at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, celebrating the annual Volunteering Awards and recognising students for their outstanding dedication, selflessness and exceptional community spirit both within the college and beyond.
The uplifting ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including the H.M. Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mr J. Michael Poole, and the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Helen Crumbie, who proudly presented awards to an exceptional cohort of students.
Guests, staff and students were also delighted by live entertainment throughout the evening. Alfie Nixon captivated the audience with his skilful piano performances, while Jonty Ledbetter impressed with an array of engaging and expertly performed magic tricks, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the celebration. The event also helped to raise valuable funds in support of dementia awareness, further reflecting the community-focused spirit of the evening.
One of the evening’s most poignant and uplifting moments was the recognition of Year 12 student Samuel Ellis, who was named Young Citizen of the Year. This highly respected accolade honours compassion, initiative and commitment in young role models. Samuel received the award for his extraordinary bravery and quick-thinking actions during a roadside emergency, where he carried out life-saving CPR, demonstrating remarkable courage and composure under pressure.
Also honoured were Moyin Akindunbi Student Union President, and Jaspreet Kaur, Student Union Vice President, for their invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to the college community. Moyin delivered a heartfelt and deeply moving speech, expressing sincere gratitude for the exceptional opportunities and dedicated support she has experienced during her time at QE.
A particularly meaningful project recognised on the evening was Operation Candlelight, a reflective QE initiative led by students from the college’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), supported by staff, to honour those who lost their lives in service. As part of the project, students carefully placed candles on Commonwealth War Graves in Darlington Cemetery and additional churchyards throughout County Durham during the Christmas period, illuminating over 500 graves. This act of remembrance provided a powerful opportunity for reflection and demonstrated deep respect and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Reflecting on the importance of volunteering, Nancy Wall, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: “It is an absolute privilege to support such an inspiring group of young people. Their willingness to give their time, energy and compassion to help others is truly commendable. The breadth of volunteering we see each year continues to grow, and these students demonstrate just how powerful a positive contribution to the community can be. We are incredibly proud of all that they have achieved.”
Below is a list of award recipients, highlighting the remarkable breadth, impact and diversity of student volunteering efforts. A huge and well-deserved congratulations is extended to every student nominated, celebrating their generosity, compassion and tireless commitment.
- Community Sport Volunteer of the Year – James Verity
- Contribution to Sport – Anishka Sangha and Isabelle Tait
- Contribution to the College Community – Moyin Akindunbi and Jaspreet Kaur
- Contribution to Arts and Culture – Leah Jo Laundy
- Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year – Lilia Farid Hosseini
- Community Volunteer of the Year – Maya Crutchley
- Volunteering Project of the Year – Operation Candlelight – L/CPL Amelie Jones, L/CPL Prakat Sunuwar, and L/CPL Sophie Robinson
- Above and Beyond Award – Grace Davison
- Chris Wiper Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Service for Others – QE Interact – Nathan Appleton and Maggie Ensbury
- Young Citizen Award – Samuel Ellis
Reflecting on the experience, James Verity winner of the Community Sport Volunteer of the Year, said: “It was a fantastic evening, and winning the award is a great recognition of the hard work I’ve put into video work with football teams in Scotland. This volunteering has been a great experience for me, not only allowing me to use and develop my skills, but also being incredibly enjoyable.”
Laurence Job, Principal of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: “QE is dedicated to nurturing our students’ academic, personal and social development. The Volunteering Awards is a powerful and inspiring reminder of what can be achieved through kindness, compassion and commitment. It is truly inspiring to see the profound and positive impact our students are having on people’s lives through such a diverse range of volunteering activities. We are immensely proud of each and every one of them.”
