Teen group get top marks for their work

Teenagers doing their bit to make Donington a great place to live have earned the top accolade in the East Midlands in Bloom It's Your Neighbourhood award scheme.
Flinders Founders with their award. Pictured (from left) are, back  Leah Bristow, Natalie Thomas, Elliot Moran, Will Mann, Amy Bristow, Melanie Bristow; front  Elle Thornally, Margaret Wright, Stevie Abbott, Alfie Holstead and Joe Woods. SG271116-101TWFlinders Founders with their award. Pictured (from left) are, back  Leah Bristow, Natalie Thomas, Elliot Moran, Will Mann, Amy Bristow, Melanie Bristow; front  Elle Thornally, Margaret Wright, Stevie Abbott, Alfie Holstead and Joe Woods. SG271116-101TW
Flinders Founders with their award. Pictured (from left) are, back  Leah Bristow, Natalie Thomas, Elliot Moran, Will Mann, Amy Bristow, Melanie Bristow; front  Elle Thornally, Margaret Wright, Stevie Abbott, Alfie Holstead and Joe Woods. SG271116-101TW

The magnificent efforts of Flinders Founders were judged outstanding.

There are 14 teenagers in the group and, due to transport difficulties, they were unable to make it to the awards day in Mansfield in September so they celebrated together at the weekend at a Christmas Fair at Thomas Cowley High School.

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Group spokesman Margaret Wright said: “The kids think it’s wonderful when we get an award – it’s added proof that we are a good group doing good work.”

Margaret describes Flinders Founders as a “unique voluntary community youth group run by young people for young people”.

Its biggest early achievement was building a Teen Park, which has involved ongoing work to develop it into a fantastic community amenity.

Youngsters have done regular litter picks there, enhanced the environment by planting shrubs and are developing a wildlife area.

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It’s Your Neighbourhood judges award marks for community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening. Flinders Founders earned 89 marks out of a possible 100 to gain a level 5 outstanding award.

Judges said the group had gone from providing the Teen Park to “reaching out to the whole village” with lots of community involvement, fundraising events, special occasion parties, activity days and a new Sports Spectacular event for this year.

The judges’ report says: “Nothing is beyond this very lively and engaging group.”

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