�A variety of achievements among young people in Islington has once again been recognised through an annual awards ceremony.

The Jack Petchey Awards honour those helping others in their community and winners are given �200 to spend on resources for their school or on projects.

One of this year’s winners was Ali Al-Sakban, 18, from City and Islington College, who helped run a clinic for six weeks, in association with the NHS, to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and to provide advice on quitting among fellow students.

Excelled

This initiative is a sign of things to come for Ali, who is taking A-Levels in biology, chemistry, physics and maths.

He said: “I’m not sure what I’ll do next but something in science, maybe I’ll go into medicine.”

Another winner was Migena Hadziui, 14, from Highbury Fields School, who excelled at Islington Schools Leadership Week and was made the Sporting Ambassador.

She has given her time to help organise sporting events including delivering a golf festival to 10 different schools.

She has also been made a London 2012 Young Ambassador, charged with spreading the Olympic message at her school and in the community.

The Jack Petchey Foundation has donated �982,000 to youth organisations in the borough since funding began in 2005, and around �75million countrywide.

It was established by businessman and philanthropist Jack Petchey in 1999 to help young people.

An award is given to a student at each state school in the borough each month and then all the winners come together at an annual ceremony to receive a medallion and a certificate.

Nominations are made by teachers, parents, governing bodies and the young people themselves.