YMCA team scoops awards

For the first time in its history, YMCA Hawke's Bay took home four major awards at the national YMCA conference held in Wanganui recently.

The local team picked up the awards for its breakfast events, leadership, a youth volunteer programme and innovative motocross holiday programme.

The awards were for regional branches of the YMCA that have excelled in delivering youth programmes and recognise the work and commitment of the local teams.

YMCA Hawke's Bay chief executive Peter Andersson said his team's achievements were a milestone for the organisation.

"It is the first time the Hawke's Bay YMCA has been awarded which in itself is a great milestone, but to receive four awards is fantastic," he said.

"The awards confirm that we are on the right track, and our programmes are making a real difference in the lives of Hawke's Bay youth and children."

The first award was "The Y That Catches The Eye" for a special event that lifts community profile for ongoing breakfast events.

At the two most recent breakfasts, barrister Lynda Kearns spoke about her two decades of working with domestic violence cases and Commissioner for Children Russell Wills spoke on his response to the Government's green paper on vulnerable children.

Early Childhood Education manager Virginia Wilson was awarded Certificate of Merit for "Leading by Example".

She has transformed the YMCA Hawke's Bay's Early Childhood Education service so that it now fully meets the needs of the community.

The George Briggs Youth Award was given to the Y-Force Volunteer Programme that caters for more than 60 volunteers, providing them with valuable work experience to grow their confidence and builds their skills.

The "Innovation in a New Programme" was awarded to YMCA Hawke's Bay's Motocross Holiday Programme. The programme, led by New Zealand motocross champions, has been a hit and places fill quickly each holiday.