A budding fashion designer, digital artist and four talented sports stars are among the latest recipients of an Inspire Award set up by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).
The scheme was started in memory of Joe Humphries, 14, who died of an arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) while out jogging near his Rothley home.
As a result, Callum Twelves, Tia Bhatt, Muhammad Ibraheem, Alma Unsudimi, Curtis Scothern and Daisy Platts have all received the awards totalling £1,000.
Racing cyclist Callum, 14, from Stapleton, will use his £150 Inspire Award to test his racing skills abroad, having already raced successfully in Belgium. The money will contribute towards his aim of winning the regional U14 road race championships in 2018.
Tia Bhatt, 14, from Leicester, has been selected to represent England in an international rounders tournament in Guernsey. Her £200 will help offset some of the costs of her forthcoming trip.
“It means so much to me to represent my country at rounders,” said Tia, who is also a member of the under-16s Leicester City women’s football team. “Being able to compete at the highest level of your own sport is a great honour and will be a great experience for me.”
Talented hockey player Muhammad, 14, from Stocking Farm in Leicester, has already been spotted and invited to attend an England hockey performance centre.
“My £150 Inspire Awards grant means a great deal to me as I pursue my goal of representing England. Also, as I lost my sister in tragic circumstances, an Inspire grant makes her memory stay strong in me. My sister loved sport and I know she’d be proud of me.”
Seventeen-year-old Alma Unsudimi, from Leicester, is very keen to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Alma will use her £150 to buy a new sewing machine. “This gives me no excuse to wait any longer in pursuing my dreams,” she said.
Curtis Scothern, 16, from Wigston, is an aspiring digital artist. He works closely with local charity Soft Touch Arts and wants to share his skills with younger people at the Aspire Life Skills Learning Centre, where he goes to paint. With the £150 grant, Curtis will be able to buy the equipment he needs.
Young swimmer Daisy Platts, 16 from Whetstone, will put the £200 towards the cost of a new racing suit, as well as towards the costs of competing up and down the country. Already a winner at the International Children’s Games, Daisy has swum alongside Olympians and has recently started to teach your people how to swim.
“This grant will give me the me confidence and belief to push myself further, which in turn will help me reach the next level in my sport,” she said.
Simon Taylor, Inspire Awards project lead for the JHMT, said: “The drive and determination of all these young people to succeed never ceases to amaze me. In some cases, they’ve overcome huge barriers to follow their goals – and in all cases, they’re incredibly deserving of the support we can offer. I applaud them all and very much look forward to hearing about their future achievements.”
To find out more about the JHMT, visit www.jhmt.org.uk
