The University of Huddersfield, the Times Higher Education University of the Year, is proud to sponsor the Student Community Award to recognise the efforts of students in schools and colleges who voluntarily help others in the community.

Many young people here in Huddersfield find time, in the midst of their studies, to help others. Whether this is volunteering to support older people, helping to run youth groups or taking part in environmental projects and litter clearing, all this makes a huge difference to our community. Their work is something we should be proud of and celebrate.

When students join us at the university many of them continue their voluntary work. We know it provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and get even more training to enhance future job prospects.

The University of Huddersfield Student Community Award aims to celebrate the commitment of our local school pupils, to highlight the good work they do and celebrate the positive impact this has on the Huddersfield community.

The award is open to all local school pupils between the ages of 15 and 18. Last year a very strong field of entries was received and we are very much looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and wish everyone good luck.

Huddersfield University 320
Huddersfield University 320

A group of students from Kirklees College have done a huge amount of brilliant community work.

There are 34 in the group, all are aged 16 to 18 and their list of good work goes on and on.

The students have often started on courses but dropped out for a range of reasons and instead have opted for a year studying for a Level 2 NVQ community volunteering qualification at Kirklees College.

They are led by a team of five staff from the college, including careers officer Jane Brown.

“Some have 10 or more GCSE qualifications and the Xplorer course gives them intensive career advice and classroom support so they can decide what to do next,” she said. “Every student we’ve had on the course has then gone on to further education, an apprenticeship or a job. It’s a real eye-opener for them and broadens their horizons to a range of possibilities while expanding their work ethic and skills.

“We are really proud of their achievements this year and some recognition for the students would boost their confidence.

“The students’ efforts have been nationally recognised by our awarding body ASDAN through a £2,000 grant for them to continue with their conservation project at Lockwood Baptist church which is on the Tour de France route. They aim to complete this by the end of June.”

Since September the students’ impressive toll of good deeds includes:

Helping to raise money for the Text Santa appeal by bag-packing at Morrisons

Raised money for the homeless meal at the John Smith’s Stadium which was enough to buy all the soft drinks.

Planted more than 700 young trees for the Environmental Alliance

Renovated areas of Huddersfield Broad Canal

Renovating Lockwood Baptist churches gardens

Examiner Community Awards nominees - Kirklees College Xplorer students Aimee Dyson, Sam Cartwright, Danny Lever Jess Edmund, Abi Gregory, Katie Clayton, Luke Holland and Joseph Holroyd planting a rockery at Lockwood Baptist Church.

Supported the Uniform Exchange charity which provides free school uniforms for families struggling to make ends meet

Raised food, funds and clothing for Welcome Centre food bank

Designed, handmade and sold cards for the Community Card Project

Merchandised clothes at Oxfam to go on the charity’s online hub

Charity bag packing at Tesco and Sainsbury’s

Making bird boxes at the National Trust for conservation areas, creating pathways across the Pennine Way, digging out rhododendron bushes and designing guided health walks

Supported Kirkwood Hospice with its Christmas Fayre

Supported other local charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Ruddi’s Retreat, Age UK and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice

Helped with gardening and grounds maintenance at Cathedral House

Helping the Friends of Beaumont Park

Removing weeds on roadsides leading to the moors above Meltham.

Matthew Armitage is only 13 yet he was spurred into fundraising action when tragedy struck one of his teachers.

Paul Stephenson, a geography teacher at King James’ School in Almondbury, and his wife, Lucy, set up Our Sleeping Angels in memory of their son, Joseph, who was stillborn in October last year caused by a blood clot in the placenta.

Our Sleeping Angels raises cash to enable parents of stillborn children to name a star after them.

The cause struck a chord with King James’ pupil Matthew who has since been raising money for Our Sleeping Angels.

Matthew and friends Aidan Hancox and Lauren Ainley completed a five-mile walk around Almondbury, Newsome and Moldgreen to raise £200 for the cause.

And before Christmas, Matthew, of Almondbury, dressed up as Father Christmas to raise £87 for Our Sleeping Angels.

Paul, originally from Upperthong, said he is ‘overwhelmed’ by Matthew’s efforts.

The 29-year-old, who now lives in Wakefield, said: “It’s really impressive. Matthew has been organising it all. I’m really overwhelmed. It’s fantastic how the children have been getting behind it.”

Matthew said: “Mr Stephenson had been off school for quite a while and I didn’t know why. When I heard he had lost a child I thought I should do something.

King James's student raises money for stillborn babies charity. Sponsored walker Matthew Armitage (13) of Almondbury pictured with geography teacher Paul Stephenson, one of the founders of the stillborn babies charity 'Our Sleeping Angels' .

“We had a good time doing the walk – it was just a bit tiring!”

Paul and Lucy run Our Sleeping Angels at six hospitals including Calderdale Royal Hospital, Dewsbury District Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary.

Paul added: “You can have an actual star in the sky and co-ordinates so you can find it. It brings us a lot of comfort when you find it on a map.

“On the long nights you can look out and see the star and it makes us feel like he’s with us.”

Our Sleeping Angels has so far raised around £6,000 through a fundraising spinathon, selling star decorations and other events.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/oursleepingangels .

When Thomas Berry lost his grandad to cancer he decided to fundraise in his memory.

The 15-year-old Almondbury High pupil even endured a sponsored headshave to get, as he puts it, ‘revenge’ on a disease that causes so much heartache when it took the life of his grandad, Keith Taylor, and to say ‘thank you’ to all the people who helped him throughout his illness.

So far he has raised almost £400 for Cancer Research UK – but that’s only the start of his good deeds.

For Thomas also gives up his free time to work in a charity shop and is also a sports leader. He’s also a member of Huddersfield Army cadets and is a member of both the junior and men’s crown green bowling teams at Almondbury Bowling Club.

He was nominated by the head of year 11 Simon Sykes, who said: “It comes as no surprise to me that Thomas is getting heavily involved in charity. He is a people person who cares deeply about his family and friends. He is a well-respected member of the year group and the work he is now doing for Cancer Research has made him even more respected by his peers.

“Cancer is something that affects most families, including my own, so I am hugely grateful and proud of Thomas’ efforts in raising money for this very important cause”.

Thomas’ grandad died last Christmas Day from bowel cancer.

Examiner community awards nominee, Thomas Berry of Almondbury.

Thomas immediately grew his hair and in February this was shaved off. Whereas most teenagers would worry about their appearance, Thomas was only interested in doing something practical to help others and is now planning more fundraising events for Cancer Research.

He also works as a volunteer at the Oxfam charity shop on Colne Road every Saturday and has taken part in many community leadership activities.

Head of physical education at Almondbury High Catherine Ketteringham said: “We are exceptionally proud of Thomas. He stood out as a leader very early on in his physical education lessons, demonstrating a clear ability to understand other people.

“He cares about others and has volunteered so much of his time to support projects, festivals and competitions for a wide range of students from Key Stages 2 to 4. Alongside some of his friends, Thomas was proactive in collaborating with Kirklees Council to set up and lead the Almondbury Doorstep into Sport project.

“This was for an initial period of six weeks but Thomas continued supporting this project for a significant period of time afterwards. He makes a huge contribution to community life and Almondbury is a better place, with more activities because of him.

“If we had more people willing to give so much of themselves and make such a positive to our communities we could achieve so much more. He is an absolute inspiration to children and adults alike”.

Thomas is the son of Mark and Angela Berry and has two brothers, Daniel, 11, and eight-year-old Joshua.