SCHOOL children and sixth formers are being supported to achieve their goals inside and outside the classroom.

Talented young people from Horwich and Blackrod have received a cash award to support their extra curricular education in this year’s Rotary Club of Horwich Youth Achievement Awards.

For the past 30 years the rotary club has been supporting the town’s school children and college students to help them achieve their ambitions in the world of sports and arts.

A total of £3,750 was distributed, including to young people at Rivington and Blackrod School in Horwich,Bolton School, Canon Slade School and St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich.

Rebecca Crookson, aged 16, received £150 towards her dreams of attending a drama school.

She said: “The money will help with my music and dancing exams.

“It will really help a lot and it is really nice for young people to be recognised in this way by the community.

“I want to audition for drama schools and being able to have music and dance teaching and passing my exams will really help.

“Receiving this sort of help does help young people pursue their ambitions.”

Rebecca Greenfield, aged 16, has been supported in her goal to play rugby at an international level by the rotary club for a number of years.

She said: “This money will help me with travelling and without it I could not have bought the equipment needed.”

Award recipients said taking part in positive activities helps to raise academic standards.

Camisha Carter, aged 17, received £100 towards her singing ambitions.

She said: “I was the shyest person ever, but after being on stage and singing my confidence has increased a lot.

“I am more focused.”

The money is raised by Rotarians throughout the year.

Lauren Banks, aged 16, received £150 towards her tennis.

She said: “It is really inspiring that the rotary club, the community and the school support young people like this, it is motivational and makes you want to make people proud of you.”

Rotarians said that the successful young people were an inspiration to their peers and a truer reflection of young people today.

Horwich Rotary Club said that the awards channelled the money they raised back into the community.

President Paul Whitney said: “We get more and more applications every year.

“The award is designed to spur these young people to get to the next level.

“Many of the young people do write back to let us know how they are getting on and it brilliant to hear how well they are doing.”

Headteacher at Rivington and Blackrod School Tony Purcell said: “These awards are a celebration of talent which inspires and motivate young people.”

He added that the diversity of activities young people were involved in, supported by the school community and parents, helped them to develop skills to be used in the classroom and throughout their life.