YOUNG people have proven that they contribute enormously to the community and have been rewarded with a great range of donated sports awards in Bude.

The 5th annual CATS (Community Action Through Sport) awards in Bude took place on Wednesday, April 29, seeing 120 young people recognised for a range of positive community volunteering in several categories. World champion and current European Iron Man Nick Thorn was there to present awards along with RFU representative and former Cornwall player Phil Morris.

The recognition of these young people aged from 5 to 25-years-old fell under several categories such as Cool CATS; Wider Community; Fundraising, Environment, Sports coaching and Skills for Life. Activities from litter picking to running and training adults in Beach Life Guard qualifications were viewed by 300 people attending the evening.

Some young people had contributed over 100 volunteer hours coaching sports to younger people including some outstanding commitment made by local rugby players, elite academy coaches and volunteer canoe coaches from the CATS Street Paddler programme in Exeter.

Current government initiatives coming down from the DCSF are wanting to introduce volunteering for all young people, recognising and celebrating young people and getting young people more active.

CATS has been meeting these objectives since 2004 when it was established by Budehaven Director of Sport Denise May and Superintendent Julie Whitmarsh who looked to solve anti-social behaviour and boredom issues in Bude. The scheme is growing very quickly with six branches established in Cornwall and requests from Bristol, Norwich and the north of England.

In addition to this, CATS has been working to develop sports diversionary projects in Exeter; has formed recognition of young people in London with London Youth and the scheme is something that certainly has the potential to be in every community in the UK.

Comments from the young award winners when asked how they felt about being recognised for their volunteer work, included that they "felt proud of themselves," "chuffed and brilliant to have been recognised," "more confident and has given me a lot more motivation," "proud of their work," '"really pleased and happy to have helped" and "really pleased ­knowing that I have been appreciated."

A CATS spokesman said: "Without these young people volunteering their time to help their school communities, sports club communities and wider community projects, not only would the local communities struggle to get support for work that needs to be done but the youngsters themselves will not develop into the responsible and confident young people we had the privilege of meeting at the awards evening."

The sport awards and activities are wide and extremely varied, from local providers donating rewards in swimming, mountain boarding, mountain biking, surfing and climbing, to regional providers donating sailing, windsurfing and match tickets to national providers such as Go Ape and Breakin' Convention, the dance extravaganza coming to Plymouth from Sadlers Wells who have given tickets and a back stage pass for two outstanding young people who have been developing street dance clubs in Bude and rural areas for other young people.

If you would like CATS established in your area, please contact the development team on 01288 357505/07794 362403 or email [email protected]">[email protected].