Latest Dare 2 Dream inspirers unveiled
Published Wednesday 23rd February 11 in Council - news and information releases news
Two leading lights among Southend’s young people have been chosen as the latest role models for the innovative Dare 2 Dream campaign.
Dare 2 Dream is a Southend Children's Partnership initiative to raise the aspirations of children and young people, their families and carers. This includes profiling children and young people whose stories can inspire others as role models.
Earlier today (Wednesday 23rd February) the former Southend Youth Mayor, Adam Connolly, and his Deputy, Alex Bright, were announced as the latest role models to join Dare 2 Dream's ever-growing "wall of fame" of achievement and inspiration.
When Adam stood for election as Youth Mayor he pledged to fight to increase the age at which children were eligible to pay adult fare on buses from 14 to 16.
He successfully fulfilled this promise, galvanising thousands of the town's young people to sign a petition supporting the change.
Now 18, Adam has been a member of Southend Youth Council for three years and has also represented Southend's young people nationally as a member of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament. He is currently completing his A-levels at Southend High School for Boys.
Adam said: "I'm really pleased to be involved in this campaign. It's a rewarding feeling simply to be considered as a nominee."
Deputy Youth Mayor, Alex, 17, strongly supported Adam in his winning bus fare campaign and also took on many other responsible roles, including being a judge for the Vinvolved (corr) national volunteering awards, a Young Ambassador for a hospice and a member of his local Olympics Board.
He said: "My year as Deputy Youth Mayor allowed me to meet new people and undertake new experiences. I have become increasingly aware of the variety of issues that young people of the town face on a daily basis."
Councillor Roger Hadley, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, said: "In their capacity as Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor, Adam and Alex have achieved a great deal for the young people of Southend and they thoroughly deserve the accolade of being Dare 2 Dream role models.
"The service they gave during their year of office, as well as in the other activities they are involved in, are a terrific example for other young people to follow."