INSPIRATIONAL stories, amazing talent and unimaginable dedication and determination were all celebrated at the third annual Oxfordshire Youth Awards.

Winners included those who had given hundreds of hours to their community, overcome adversity at a young age or shown the commitment required to reach the top.

More than 100 nominations were received for young people across the county aged 11 to 18 years.

And 300 young people along with proud family and friends packed Oxford Town Hall to celebrate their achievements at the awards evening on Thursday night.

The awards, organised by Oxfordshire Association for Young People, were decided by a panel of children who described the task as “almost impossible”.

Debbie Egan, youth awards co-ordinator, said the evening was a chance to celebrate the good work of the county’s young people.

She added: “It doesn’t just focus on people who are particularly good at sport or academically talented but also those who give up time or are really brave. There were so many inspirational stories.

“You see so many negative stories about young people but hear you really see the positive.”

Individual Bravery Award THE Individual Bravery Award was given to Beatrice Carr, 14, from Marston who suffers from severe physical disabilities and is paralysed from the chest down.

But her incredible spirit means the she continues to enjoy activities such as Girl Guiding and raising money for charity.

Bea’s mum Joanna said her daughter was incredibly proud to be part of the evening and to have won the award.

Jake Spicer Award THE Jake Spicer Special Recognition Award was created in honour of a Blackbird Leys teenager who tirelessly raised money for charity despite his battle with bone cancer.

Fifteen-year-old Jake passed away in July 2009.

Jake’s mum Lesley presented the award to Kais, a young man who left war-torn Afghanistan on his own aged 11 after witnessing atrocities, including the killing of family members.

It took him two years to reach Dover by whatever means he could, where he was found by authorities under a lorry.

Despite his harrowing journey, he is now making a new life for himself with a foster family near Oxford, working hard at school and making the most of every opportunity.

Community Award THE Community Award was given in recognition of an individual who has dedicated time to a local cause.

It was won by Bea Curtis, 15, from Fitzharry’s School, Abingdon, for her work as a peer mentor to Year 7 students at her school.

Bea said: “The stories of the award winners have been really amazing, and quite sad sometimes, but really inspirational.”

Sport Award The winner of the Sport Award was Fran Groves, a 16-year-old from Lord Williams’s School, Thame, who took the silver medal at the World Sports Acro Championships.

Fran started acrobatics aged 11 and her commitment and talent have taken her to the top of the sport. She said: “It has been really nice to get this award and have my achievement recognised.”

Arts Award THE Arts Award went to young writer and poet Catherine Turvey.

Catherine, 14, from Banbury School, Banbury, was inspired to write a book of short stories and poems after her grandfather, William Davies, died in 2009.

The Voice Within has since been published and Catherine has dedicated half the royalties to charities including Age UK Oxfordshire. She said: “Memories of my grandad were part of the book and there are some poems about him.”

Volunteer Award THE Volunteer Award for service to others went to Josh Boffin, 14, who volunteers for St John Ambulance.

The Banbury School pupil has volunteered with the group since the age of nine and has clocked up more than 400 hours duty.

Josh, who wants to be a paramedic, said working as a first aider was a great opportunity for young people.