A STUDENT volunteer has scooped the lion’s share for Shakespeare Hospice.
Abi Hutchinson represented the Shakespeare Lions Club at the District Finals for Lions International Young Ambassador 2020 and she won, collecting a £500 bursary for the Stratford-based hospice.
The Lions Young Ambassador Competition recognises, encourages and supports young people aged 15 to 18 who are actively involved in helping.
Abi, a student at Stratford Girls Grammar School, presented judges with her vision for a project focused on bereaved teenagers and a non-traditional support network to help tackle feelings of isolation and to build friendships with others in the same situation.
It is a subject close to her heart, as Abi has been through the loss of a parent in her teens, and she wants to dispel the stereotype of typical bereavement sessions and make them fun and engaging.
Abi not only volunteers in the marketing and fund-raising team every week, but also volunteers for the junior young carer sessions held at the hospice once a fortnight, in partnership with Warwickshire Young Carers.
The competition judges said Abi was doing amazing work supporting isolated bereaved youngsters at the hospice.
Abi said: “I’m so grateful to the hospice for giving me the support to run for the Lions competition.
“I am so excited to begin my bereavement project and to support teens in a new and exciting way.”
Peter Humberston, president of the Shakespeare Lions said: “All our selected Shakespeare Lions Young Ambassadors are very special young people each doing wonderful things in the community, but Abi is the first to reach the National Finals.
“All Shakespeare Lions were delighted when told the news and will be supporting her in the next very important round.”
Abi will now go on to The Young Ambassador Finals weekend in Dudley next month where there will be the chance to win a further £1,000 bursary.
