THIS year's Pride of Somerset Youth Awards are being supported by an organisation dedicated to celebrating our "beloved county."

Passion for Somerset is sponsoring the Sporting Achievement Award, which aims to recognise exceptional talent and dedication of individuals or teams in the realm of sports.

Previous winners who have excelled in sports include England cricketer Jos Buttler and British gymnast Laura Gallagher.

In the 2023 awards, Jack Sweeney, from Taunton, was awarded for his efforts volunteering as a coach for Huish Taunton Tigers Basketball Club. 

Speaking in 2023, one parent, whose child was part of the U12’s group, told Richard Huish College: "Jack deserves a special mention, I was really impressed when he took the lead for the session."

Thorley Trevorrow, from Portishead, also made a splash in the world of motorcycle racing. In November 2022 Thorley competed in the FIM Cup World Series, which consisted of racers aged between 10 and 12 years. As a 10 year old, Thorley travelled to the last round of the MotoGP in Valencia Spain, to represent Great Britain. 

The Passion for Somerset website explains the organisation's values further: "At Passion for Somerset, our values aren't just statements on a page — they are the principles that guide us in every decision we make and action we take.

"We've built our foundation on three key pillars: community empowerment, heritage appreciation and inclusivity and engagement.

"These values are the essence of who we are as an organisation and reflect our commitment to inspiring a shared passion for our beloved county.

"They guide our mission to celebrate Somerset's diverse offerings, honour its rich history and culture and foster an inclusive environment for everyone in our community. Together, these principles shape our unique identity and define our path forward.

"We hold the economy, history, heritage, beauty and culture of Somerset in high esteem.

"Our mission is to educate, inform and celebrate these aspects through our initiatives. We also take pride in recognising the remarkable people and places that make Somerset unique and special."

This year, the award ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 16, 6.30pm-9pm at The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater.

Other sponsors include the Somerset County Gazette and Young Somerset, to name a couple.