THE Chronicle has teamed up with Barnsley College to launch the biggest-ever search for our town’s inspiring young people.

The Young Champions Awards are back for 2024 and will shine a light on all the young fundraisers, students, apprentices, entertainers, volunteers and carers who live among us.

Nominations are now open with a glitzy celebration evening in the spectacular setting of the Metrodome Arena being held on Friday, June 14.

So we need your help to make sure as many young people as possible get the recognition they deserve.

There are 15 awards in all, with 12 for individuals and three for teams.

Plus one young person will walk away with the overall Outstanding Young Champion award.

The presentation night will be every bit as ambitious as our Proud of Barnsley awards night in November which has become the annual flagship event for Barnsley, attracting hundreds of nominations every year.

Categories in Young Champions are:

Young Fundraiser

Young Carer

Young Sportsperson

Student of the Year

Young Volunteer

Young Conqueror triumph over adversity

Young Apprentice

Young Community Hero

Young Entertainer

Young Entrepreneur

Special Achievement

Young Sports Team

Young Entertainment Team

The awards are being backed by Barnsley Central MP, Dan Jarvis who said he is looking forward to learning more about commendable examples young people are setting.

He added: “The return of the Young Champions Awards provides us with an excellent opportunity to pause, acknowledge, and celebrate the outstanding contributions of exceptional young people in our town.

“In honouring these local heroes, we not only recognise their inspirational achievements, but we also reaffirm our dedication to the values they display and that define us as a community kindness, generosity, and unity.

“Thanks to the team at the Barnsley Chronicle, these awards will again be showcasing the very best of those in our town, and I am greatly looking forward to hearing about the incredible efforts of nominees in the weeks to come.”

Gavin Batty, deputy CEO of headline sponsors Barnsley College, said: “We are proud to transform the lives of students in Barnsley through the work that we do every day.

“In sponsoring these awards we’re able to help transform the lives of many more remarkable young people in the local community.

“We know that there are some incredible individuals in Barnsley who have achieved great things already in their young lives.

“We see so many of them when they come through our doors to pursue their future careers, and I hope that we uncover many more unsung heroes and ambassadors for the borough in the nominations.

“I look forward to reading their stories.”

n You can nominate someone you think is a Young Champion by emailing brief details to:

youngchampions@barnsley-

chronicle.co.uk.