THE outstanding voluntary work of 16 young people from York saw them invited to the Mansion House and rewarded for their dedication.

The group, aged from 16 to 22, were chosen from 180 winners of the Lord Mayor of York Young Volunteers Award and were picked for the “huge amount of commitment” they had shown to the community.

Among the winners of the Special Award last night was 22-year-old Megan McKenna, from York St John University, who has been volunteering at specialist mental health unit the Retreat.

Les Popely, volunteering co-ordinator from the Retreat, said: “Megan is such a lovely person and does not know what an asset she is so this recognition will be brilliant for her.”

Fellow winner Charles Merritt, 16, from Huntington Secondary School, organised and ran two comedy nights at school to raise more than £250 for SNAPPY, a charity which provides social and recreational opportunities for children and young people with special needs.

Handing out the certificates last night, The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman, said: “I am delighted that in its first year this award has had such a positive response and I’m overwhelmed by the amount of young people who are out there volunteering all over the city – I can’t thank them enough for their contribution.

“It was wonderful to meet the 16 young people chosen for the Special Award all of whom have given a huge amount of time, commitment and enthusiasm to improving the lives of people in their local community. They are inspiring young people and I hope their example encourages others to volunteer.”

The award was set up by the Volunteering York Partnership to recognise young volunteers aged 11 to 25 and the contribution they make to the city.

The 16 Special Award winners were selected by a panel of representatives from City of York Council, York CVS, employee-volunteering charity York Cares, charities and schools.

Liz Hamilton, volunteering manager at York Council for Voluntary Service said: “The awards are a fantastic way to raise the profile of the benefits of volunteering.”

Special Award winners

Alexander Kupse, 19, from Askham Bryan College.

Calum Masters, 17, from All Saints’ School.

Charles Merritt, 16, from Huntington Secondary School.

Emily Scanu, 17, from St Peter’s School.

Evie Pirie, 17, from Huntington School.

Gabriel Aegerter, 18, from Joseph Rowntree School.

Gemma Carmichael, 19, from Fulford School.

Jessica Gudgeon, 19, from Askham Bryan College.

Keira Rosie Hulse-Storr, 18, from All Saints’ School.

Megan McKenna, 22, from York St John University.

Ray Glenwright who works at Poppleton Garden Centre.

Rhiannon Amber Durrans, 17, from York College.

Stephen Woodmansey, 18, from Bootham School.

Stuart Featherstone, 20, from York St John University.

Syed Qutub Mustafa, 18, from Joseph Rowntree School.

Tara Paxman, 17, from Fulford School.