The achievements of young mothers from across Cornwall were celebrated at a WILD Awards ceremony last week.

The WILD Aspirations 2008 Young Parents Awards, held in the Helford Theatre at Truro College, provided a showcase for the talent and achievements of members of the WILD Young Parents Project, which works with young mums ( or women who are pregnant ) under 23 years and their children.

The aim of the Project is to provide support and space for young parents in Cornwall to make positive choices about their lives and the lives of their children. Groups in Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Camborne, Penzance, Pendeen, St Ives, AND Hayle offer young mums access to peer support, and the opportunity to learn new skills and take part in voluntary work, peer education, issue-based groupwork, Skills for Life and accreditation courses.

Among the main winners was Amanda Head, from Hayle, a former member of the WILD group, who was presented with the Achiever of the Year Award. Presenting her with the Award, Samantha Alexander, WILD’s Chair of Trustees, said that Amanda had been an active member of WILD who had been a key motivator for other young women in the group. “As well as taking part in a wide range of sports, including surfing, netball, dance and kickboxing, and successfully completing a range of courses and qualifications, Amanda also played a key role in volunteering, peer education, training and recruitment for WILD.” she said.

“She is a true Achiever in every sense of the word and we are all very proud of what she has done”.

Amanda, who had her son when she was 19, is now studying for a Foundation Degree in Fine Art. She paid tribute to the help and support she had received, both from staff at WILD and fellow young mothers. Other award winners were: Vicky Armitage, Natassija Crowther, Anna Gibson, Hannah Green, Jemma Hamilton, Tayna Knott, Tiffany Latham, Rozanna Holloway, Teleah Peacock, Amy Pearson, Sarah-Jane Pill, Lucy Thomas and Lorraine Upton.

Sports awards went to: Jemma Boyt, Vicki Cocks, Hannah Green, Vicky Greenslade, Amanda Head, Stacey Howard, Tiffany Latham, Teleah peacock, Sarah-Jane Pill, Helen Thomas, Kelly Van-Evelingen and Steph Wade.

Progression awards: Siobhan Pope, Emily Hunter, Kimberly Ambrose, MaryRose Bailey, Sarah Green, Trelawney Hibbs, Emma Bodilly, Vicky Cocks, Kezia Hick, Kimberley Ratcliff, Kirsty Cann, Heidi Meek, Steph Wale, Jemma Tresidder, Stacey Howard, Cheryl Batten, Jane Cooper, Stevie-Anne Dack, Katie Richards, Vicky Greenslade.

Special Progress: Teleah Peacock and Trelawney .

Peer Education: Vicky Armitage, Laura Dove, Alysha Farrow, Ami Gardener, Kayleigh Gobson, Sarah Green, Vicky Greenslade, Georgina Head, Trelawney Hibbs, Emily Hunter, Tanya Knott, Rhiann Mitchell Holland, Jasmine Parker, Adele Phillips, Siobhan Pope, Bethan Rivers, Beckie Singleton, Naomi Street, Helen Thomas, Katy Ward and Becky Weedon.

Young Mums: Siobhan Caddy, Adele Phillips, Rebecca Weedon, Jessica Knight, Amy Pollard.

Youth Achievement: Bronze - Alysha Adcock, Stacey Blackman, Jenna Bullock, Laura Dove, Kelly Herrington, Mel May. Bronze and Silver: Bernadette Keating, Tanya Knott, Liz Nicholson, Rebecca Singleton. Silver: Samantha Jinks. Gold: Charlotte Stevens, Ellie Wingrove Arts Awards: Alysha Farrow, Trelawney Hibbs, Bethan Rivers, Rhiann Mitchell-Holland.

Skills for Life: Jade Cooper, Ellie Wingrove, Chloe Michael, Emma Pilkington, Cheryl Batten, Mel Skye, Stacey Howard, Beth Meakin, Sophie James, Steph Wale, Vicki Cocks, Emma Bodilly, Heidi Meek, Caroline Vincent, Kirsty Cann, Kezia Hick, Kimberley Ratcliff, Tanya Knott, Vicky Armitage, Teleah Peacock, Kelly Van Evelingen, Sarah-Jane Pill, Anna Bartlett, Vicky Greenslade, Hannah Green, Kymm Dear, Dani Moy, Jo Mather, Amanda Head, Tiffany Latham, Mel May, Chantelle Smith, Amy Cann, Aimee Furze, Emma Witty, Jenna Bullock and Lyndsey Arrowsmith.