Medway pupil makes Disability Youth Games possible
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Paralympic Champion Danny Crates announced Medway’s inaugural Disability Youth Games on Tuesday, 23 January 2007 at a lunch reception hosted by the University of Kent at Medway. The lunch was also attended by Olympic stars Steve Cram and Steve Backley and was held as part of Medway: 2012 days to the Olympics.
The Games were made possible by Lee Monk, a Year 9 pupil at Bradfields School, who made a successful bid to Medway Council’s Youth Opportunities Fund. Lee was invited to the Civic Centre to present his idea in front of a panel.
“I was very nervous before I went to the Civic Centre to be interviewed about my idea,” said Lee. “But two weeks later I got a letter to say they would give me £8,000 for the Games. I was so surprised when I got the letter and was pleased for the other pupils in my school and the other schools across Medway.”
Lee is a keen sportsman and was a member of his school’s five-a-side football team that won the Mini Youth Games event. He is now busy training and looking forward to competing in the Games that he made possible.
The Youth Opportunities Fund was set up by Medway Council for 13 to 19 year-olds who need funding for activities, events and campaigns that they would like to run in their area. It gives young people the chance to deliver the projects that they want.
Portfolio holder for Children’s Services Cllr Les Wicks said: “One of the council’s priorities is to enable the young people in Medway to make the most of themselves. These funds allow our youngsters to speak up for what they want to help develop their social, education and development needs.”
Since his successful bid to the Youth Opportunities Fund, Lee has been asked to join its judging panel. He now attends interview sessions where he listens to other young people come forward with their ideas as he did.