Helping's 'reward enough' for award winning Cirencester teenager (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Helping's 'reward enough' for award winning Cirencester College student

12:00pm Friday 25th January 2013 in News By Laura Shack

A CIRENCESTER College student has won a top award for setting up her own charity to help people like her mum who suffer from a pain syndrome.

Amy-May Knowles was named as the South West’s Best Young Volunteer in the vInspired National Awards, which celebrates the achievements of young volunteers.

The 16-year-old impressed the judges with her year-round dedication to the community through her charity work and in her role as chairman on Cirencester Youth Town Council.

After her mum was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Amy-May decided more needed to be done to raise awareness for the disorder, which can cause a loss of feeling in limbs and painful arthritis.

She recently set up her own charity to support sufferers and to give young carers like herself the opportunity to have fun days out.

Amy-May said she was surprised and thrilled to get the recognition.

"You don’t volunteer to get awards – knowing you’re helping people is enough motivation. But it’s great to know that people appreciate what I do, and I hope that this might inspire other young people to give volunteering a go," she said.

Terry Ryall of vInspired said: "Amy-May is a complete inspiration. She has displayed empathy for others and has shown great ability to build positive relationships whilst volunteering. She should be immensely proud of her achievements."

Now, the 16-year-old is in the running for a national vInspired award, which will be announced at a star-studded ceremony at the Camden Roundhouse in March.

Find out more at vinspired.com/nationalawards