KIDS COUNT LAUNCH

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KIDS COUNT INSPIRATION AWARDS
OUR SECOND NATIONAL INSPIRATION AWARDS CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT
The House of Commons, 21st of April 2009

Dear Supporters,

We are pleased to announce that after the inauguration and launch of the KIDS COUNT INSPIRATION AWARDS in 2008, we shall again be introducing our nomination programme for 2009. Our first Awards Nomination scheme culminated in a highly successful and enjoyable Award Ceremony that was held in the Terrace Suite at the House of Commons on the 21st May 2008. Pictures of which can be seen on our web site.

By creating the Kids Count Inspiration Awards we wish to recognise those individuals and organisations that have quite literally inspired young people in their communities. Addressing issues that affect their lives by creating initiatives that are grounded in practicality and realism and make a positive difference, whilst giving a voice to young people to determine and influence their own futures.

Kids Count cordially invites you to take part in the nomination process which will culminate in a fantastic awards ceremony to be held at the House of Commons on Tuesday, 21st of April 2009.

Your nominations will be submitted to a high profile judging panel drawn from individuals who, like you, care passionately about these issues. Eight winners will be selected, and then invited to accept their Inspiration Awards at the Awards Ceremony.

This will become a prestigious annual event highlighting and recognising the truly inspirational contribution of all the winners. The closing date for nominations is the 20th March 2009.

It couldn't be easier to nominate a worthy candidate for these awards. All you have to do is select from the six categories of awards and complete the nomination form and e-mail it back to us. There will also be two special awards nominated by Kids Count.

The Kids Count Inspiration Awards are designed to recognise the efforts of young people, organisations and community groups, therefore there is no age limit for nominations.

To download a nomination form click here

31st March 2008

KIDS COUNT ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL INSPIRATION AWARDS
- Award Ceremony to take place at House of Commons on 21 May
- Inspirational young people to be recognised in Parliament
- Nominations invited - deadline is Wednesday 30 April

Kids Count, the grass-roots think tank which aims to find practical solutions to the broad spectrum of issues that affect children and young people in urban and rural communities, is pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Kids Count Inspiration Awards’.

The Kids Count Inspiration Awards ceremony will take place at the House of Commons on 21 May 2008 and will recognise those individuals, young and old, and organisations that have been responsible for inspiring young people in their communities. Nominations are being sort for individuals or groups who are addressing issues that affect the lives of children by creating initiatives that are grounded in practicality and realism, make a positive difference, and afford greater freedom to young people to determine their own futures.

Kids Count is now seeking nominations from across the UK. Any person or organisation can nominate another person or organisation for one of the following six categories:
     - Most Inspirational Young Person
     - Best Contribution to Youth Issues
     - Best Contribution to Youth Organisations
     - Best Contribution by a Community Group
     - Best Mentor
     - Best Creative Contribution

Two further special awards will be made at the ceremony. The Chairman’s Award and The Director’s Award, both of which will recognise specific excellence from an individual or organisation.

Kids Count Chairman, Richard Stephenson said: “We are delighted to be launching these prestigious awards that will honour the work that is done on behalf of Britain’s children, by groups and organisations all over the country. The courage, conviction and confidence that is displayed by young people and those who work with them, across the United Kingdom is often truly extraordinary but frequently overlooked. I am very proud to be part of an organisation that not only brings young people to the heart of decision making in Westminster, but that also aims to recognise their contribution to society through these ‘Inspiration Awards’. Hopefully many people will want to participate in these awards and I would encourage everyone to nominate an individual or organisation they think has made a significant contribution to the lives of young people.”

The closing date for nominations for the inaugural awards ceremony is Wednesday, 30 April 2008. To download a nomination form and for more information about the Awards please visit the Kids Count website at www.kidscount.org.uk or email the Director, Linda Lawrence at Linda@kidscount.org.uk

For further information please contact:
Linda Lawrence, Director, Kids Count
Phone: 07863200751

About Kids Count
Kids Count was founded in response to the growing problems faced by children and young people, along with the failure of existing organisations to find suitable solutions to these issues.

Kids Count is a grass-roots Think-Tank aiming to find practical solutions to the broad spectrum of issues that affect children and young people in urban and rural communities.

Kids Count is a National organisation looking to bridge the gap between intellectual and practical solutions. Our objective is to be the foremost authority on successful local projects that provide national solutions to a wide range of problem issues for children and young people. We will achieve this goal, not by following any particular ideology, but by networking, searching out existing, successful, practical solutions, all over the country and refining them where necessary (with the help of experts in the relevant fields) and sharing of good practice. Once the solutions have been found, we will promote them in a national forum and lobby parliament for their use across the country.

Kids Count is not affiliated to any political party or charitable bodies, but has links with various organisations and works with all sections of society.

Kids Count believes that young people should be involved in the solution finding process. Therefore, as part of our organisational structure we have a Youth Board made up of young people drawn from all walks of life, many of whom have been recommended to us by our network of contacts & organisations. We will also work with these networks to reach as many young people as possible. One of our aims is to have a website that is attractive to, and can be accessed by, young people all over the country.

25th May 2006

Lhamea with Cherie Blair On 25th May 2006 Lhamea Lall a board member for Kids Count attended the star-studded Asian Women Achievement Awards Ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The event, which included a Champaign reception a 3-course meal and raffle, which included top, prize of which were diamonds.

Lhamea was shortlisted for the Arts and Culture Award and also performed in front of 1,000 guest on the night with songs, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera and one of her own compositions "Hardest Of All" (Stand Up, Speak Out)

The ceremony was in the presents of Cherie Blair QC who is patron of the AWA Awards and HRH Duke of Kent. Lhamea was introduced to Cherie Blair by Pinky Lilani the Founder of AWA Awards and also introduced to HRH Duke of Kent by Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross and also the Chairman of Judges for the AWA Awards.

Lhamea's performance had received her a standing ovation even though she didn't receive the award in her category.

To find out more about Lhamea please visit her official website: www.lhamea.com.

Photo: Lhamea with Cherie Blair