Event helps to mark 20 years of nurturing young Cornish talent

THE 20th anniversary of a programme which supports the county's young talent has been celebrated with a special event.

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The latest cohort to receive awards from Young and Talented Cornwall, the Lord-Lieutenant's Fund, gathered at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery in Lostwithiel to mark the miles ton with a spectacular cake.

There was double cause for celebration as new High Sheriff of Cornwall Geraint Richards has selected the scheme as one of the Focus Funds for his year in office.

"Young and Talented Cornwall supports the Duchy's exceptional young talent, aiming to ensure that no potential is left untapped due to limited resources, whether financial, social or physical", said a spokesperson for the programme.

"Over the past two decades the fund has awarded more than £500,000 to almost 500 recipients, helping to break down the barriers so often faced by Cornwall's gifted youngsters."

The High Sheriff joined Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, in congratulating the latest recipients.

In the All Talent and Spirit of Trevithick (STEM) awards 34 individuals ranging from footballers, cyclists, athletes, surfers, dancers and musicians to aspiring engineers, physicists, a geologist and an ecologist were recognised with grants totalling some £50,000.

Spirit of Trevithick award-winners will also receive mentoring from what the organisers described as some of Cornwall's most innovative businesses.

The celebration was sponsored by the Duchy of Cornwall.

Sir Edward said: "Over the last two decades Young and Talented Cornwall has given a helping to hand to an incredible collection of young people, many of whom have gone on to perform or compete at a national and global level.

"It demonstrates the power of support and the difference of being believed in. Such a remarkable feat is certainly worth commemorating and, with these latest awards, our 20th year is shaping up to be one to remember."