Young people who have spent three months gaining new and exciting valuable work experience were awarded for their efforts last night.

These former Prince’s Trust team members were presented with two awards at the Leeds Grand Theatre as they were recognised for both their individual and team projects.

John Daley, from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, who runs the programme and attended the awards with the recruits, said he was incredibly proud that their work had been recognised at a regional level.

“It was a fantastic evening which was enjoyed by all and I’m thrilled that the recruits from the programme were awarded for all of their hard work over a 12 week period,” he said.

The programme is delivered by South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and involves 16-25-year-olds taking part in everything from team building exercises to community based projects.

The first award winner of the night was Tara Nortcliffe, who was awarded the Prince’s Trust Rising Star.

John said: “Tara beat off competition from around the region and was recognised for overcoming many obstacles in her life and is now embarking on a new chapter thanks to the support of the team leaders of the programme, Rhian Oxley and Paul Newman MBE.”

The second award went to the Dearne Team, who were recognised for their work during a community project at Manvers Lake.

John said: “Dearne Team 2 overcame the weather during storm Doris in one of the largest projects we have undertaken to date.

“The Friends of Manvers Lake now continue the hard work the team began and I’m incredibly pleased they were presented with an award.

“The Princes Trust is a really exciting programme to be a part of and offers fantastic learning and development opportunities.

“I’d like to say a massive well done to the award winners and to everyone involved in the programme so far, they have all done really well.”

To be part of the next Team Programme please contact John Daley on 07769 887249 or princestrust@syfire.gov.uk