The original and largest network of part-time performing arts schools for 4-18 year olds

On Tuesday 9th November a packed reception at the House of Commons gathered to celebrate the 2010 Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Children's Achievement Awards. The Rt. Hon. Lord Cope of Berkeley and David Davies MP hosted the VIP reception on the Terrace Pavilion to mark the inaugural Awards, which acknowledged and rewarded children's achievements during 2010.rr
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The Stagecoach Theatre Arts Annual Awards recognise, acknowledge and reward young people from all walks of life who have either faced adversity, demonstrated bravery, shown courage, cared for others and are good role models for young citizens. These Awards are open to any young person aged between 4 and 18 in the UKFriends of the Stagecoach Awards include: Actors Lynda Bellingham and Lynda Baron, RADA, Spotlight, The Stage, Daily Express, Ten Alps and The Mackintosh Foundation.rr
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After receiving applications from across the country the judging panel selected the finalists from each category - who were then finally judged by a formal panel chaired by Viscountess Mackintosh of Halifax and Stagecoach's co-founder Stephanie Manuel.rr
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After a welcome from Lord Cope, who was hosting the event in the absence of Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Stephanie Manuel began the presentations by thanking the Awards patrons Viscountess Mackintosh and Sir Bernard Ingham. Stephanie also thanked Ben Seale and his team from Spotlight who sponsored the reception; Tina Moran and all at the Daily Express for their on-going support; Sue Brealey from Sharegift, as well as The Children's Burns Trust, for all their special help; and she extended her personal thanks to John Burley for his inspiration, commitment and organisational ability in bringing the awards to fruition.rr
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Introducing the presentation Stephanie said: "During 22 years of working with young people in Stagecoach across the UK, it has become clear that they are capable of so much more. We have seen stories of heroism, stoicism, leadership, caring support, commitment, citizenship, tenacity, friendship and downright goodness. Stagecoach has been both inspired and humbled by the achievements of these remarkable young people. If children are our future, then these young people are the unsung heroes of our present."rr
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The awards were presented as follows:rr
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The Stagecoach Young Citizen Award:rr
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Presented by Viscount Mackintosh, this award recognises a young person who has initiated an event to raise funds for a worthy cause, or someone who has carried out community activity for the benefit of others.rr
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Highly commended in this category were: rr
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• Ciara Ennis for her extraordinary commitment to fundraising
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• Ayse Kaya for the wonderful support she gives to her sick brother.

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The winner was seven year old Alfie Clayton from Banstead. Alfie regularly attends The Children's Trust in Tadworth to use his time to support the youngsters there. Amongst other things he has run a stall to raise much needed funds: organised a party; competed runs and walks; sponsors a dog at the Dogs Trust and even saves his pocket money to visit the kennels - Alfie has a true sense of community and was a very worthy winner.rr
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The Stagecoach Theatre Arts Good Buddy Awardrr
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Presented by Sir Bernard Ingham, this award recognises young people who have gone out of their way to help those with disabilities, or young people suffering from bullying, discrimination or periods of stress or sadness.rr
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Highly Commended in this category were:rr
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• Eloise Salmon from Dewsbury, who supported her sister throughout her illness

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• Dexter Brady who was unable to attend the ceremony but will be presented with his award at a later date.

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The winner was twelve year old Lisa Guest from Malton, North Yorkshire; a young lady who, despite being badly bullied at school, has supported her siblings, who both have disabilities. Furthermore when her mother was plunged into depression Lisa also cheerfully helped with housework and homework to hold the family together during extremely difficult times.rr
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The Stagecoach Theatre Arts Bravery Awardrr
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Presented by Tina Moran, the associate editor of Express Newspapers, and Brian Robinson CBE QFSM Chair of the Trustees of the Children's Burns Trust, this Award recognises young people who have been involved in acts of personal courage and selflessness.rr
Highly Commended in this category were:rr
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• Harvey Hext, who has Downs Syndrome and has been diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer
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• Kieran Shilston, who suffered 60 per cent burns to his body and has endured 54 operations
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• Logan Adams: who suffered a burn injury at four years old and has since endured many painful operations, yet always has a smile

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The Winner was seven year old Christian Blandford, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer - since then he has endured years of gruelling treatment during which he demonstrated extraordinary bravery. He has now been given the all-clear and regularly performs at Stagecoach in Tonbridge.rr
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The Stagecoach Charitable Trust's InterAct Awardrr
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Presented by Mike McNulty, CEO of the Stagecoach Charitable Trust, this award goes to a young person who, despite adversity, has nevertheless achieved a level of success. This could be in academic studies, sport or the arts despite personal accident, injury, illness bereavement, tragedy or disaster.rr
Highly Commended Awards in this category were:rr
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• Jagdev Rathaur who, at the age of 12, suffered a brain haemorrhage which changed his life. He is now a very popular and charismatic member of his local InterAct workshop
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• Joy Haizelden who suffers from Spinal Bifida - yet is a swimmer of the year, takes kayaking lessons and plays the piano
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• Olivia Gallagher who suffers from cerebral palsy and is multi-sensory impaired, yet nothing stops her at Stagecoach. She wants to show the rest of the world she can do just about anything!

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The winner was twelve year old Cameron Small from Preston. When still a baby Cameron was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome, a rare blood disease. Since then he has endured some 900 hospital visits, and his treatment has made him diabetic needing insulin 4 times a day. Yet he has managed to raise over £93,000 through a mass of fundraising activity, and despite facing adversity Cameron has achieved extraordinary academic success at school.rr
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The next presentations were for the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Students Awards, given to Stagecoach students and announced by Richard Dawson, Stagecoach's Financial Directorrr
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The Stagecoach Students Award For Excellencerr
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Presented by Veronica Bennetts, Stagecoach Director of Education, they were awarded as follows:rr

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• Highly Commended: Leigh-Ann Bates from Stagecoach Tiverton, who has shown tremendous development from someone unsure of her capabilities through to a dynamic performer.
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• Bronze Winner: Vincent Marsh from Stagecoach Colchester who gives 100 per cent energy and enthusiasm to everything he does
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• Silver Winner: Grace Bradshaw from Stagecoach Kettering - who is described as 'every teacher's dream pupil,' she loves to challenge herself and is a great team leader
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• Gold winner for excellence: Seraphina Studd from Stagecoach Trowbridge, who has already been acknowledged by her fellow students as "the best overall performer." Not only is Seraphina talented, she fully embraces the work ethos which is required to get on in life: she is considerate, polite, professional and caring.

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The Stagecoach Students Award for Endeavourrr
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Presented by Manzoor Ishani, Director of Stagecoach Theatre Arts plc, they were awarded as follows:rr

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• Highly Commended: a joint award to Graeme Bye and Malachi Jones from Stagecoach Eastbourne, who both face challenging health issues as well as sharing several qualities: they are sociable, determined and hugely popular.
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• Bronze Winner: Stephen Martin from Stagecoach Tonbridge. In two years Stephen has made great strides as a performer and has grown in confidence, despite pain and discomfort at times when he has had to overcome the effects of Apert syndrome. Stephen is a shining example of endeavour.
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• Silver Winner: Rafe Walker from Stagecoach Stratford Upon Avon. Rafe suffers from an inoperable brain tumour. Despite this he has set up his own website and charity and this year has raised £5000 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital!rr
  

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The Stagecoach Students Award for Achievement rr
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Presented by Stephanie Manuel, Founder Principal of Stagecoach, they were awarded as follows: rr

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• Bronze Winner: Ethan Corfield from Stagecoach Swindon, who gained a staggering 87 per cent in his first LAMDA Drama exam
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• Silver Winner: Liberty Williams from Stagecoach Trowbridge who is eager, committed, passionate, uncomplaining, understanding, polite and enthusiastic and still only seven years old
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• Gold Winner: Joseph Hogger from Stagecoach Sudbury Suffolk who has overcome a lack of esteem and found new skills; in 12 months he has changed from a quiet, shy boy with no real confidence, to someone who now shines in class and on Stage.

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The reception ended with a final huge round of applause for all the inspirational young people who'd been presented with a mark of recognition for their truly outstanding achievements.rr
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For further information regarding the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Awards, please visit: www.stagecoachawards.co.uk