Brother up for Young Achievers Award (From The Oxford Times)

Brother up for Young Achievers Award

1:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Pete Hughes, Reporter. Call me on 01865 425431

AT THE age of 15, most teenage boys’ biggest concerns are the latest music and impressing girls.

But for Daniel Rumble there is only one girl worth impressing.

His big sister, Amy, has severe learning difficulties, is visually impaired and has epilepsy.

For the last three years, Daniel has given his time to help run her monthly music club at Crowmarsh, where he and Amy’s mum look after up to 30 other children with special needs.

“She gets to hang out with other children with special needs and express herself in ways she wouldn’t normally,” said Daniel.

“It’s just nice to interact with kids and see them having a good time and express themselves.”

Daniel, from Chazey Heath, is one of 35 young people in South Oxfordshire who are up for awards this week for making an outstanding contribution to their community. Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils are handing out a total of £8,500 to people aged between 11 and 18 to reward their hard work in sports, the arts and citizenship.

Daniel, who goes to Woodcote School, also served on 16-year-old Amy’s school association and in his spare time he is a Scout leader.

Wantage teenager Jackie Ward is another award nominee. The 17-year-old helps run her local youth club.

She is part of the 15-strong Sweatbox Union, a group of 14- to 18-year-olds, who arrange regular film screenings, book bands and organise funding for the club.

She said: “I was actually really chuffed, it definitely inspired me to help out more.

“I just take on everything I can.”

The Young Achievers Awards ceremony takes place tomorrow at Benson Village Hall, where councillors will present the awards.

For more about the music club, go to music4disabledchildren.org