Amazing feats of young stars move audience to tears

The winners of the YMCA Plymouth Youth Awards 2025 were unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday - here are their achievements...

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MANY were moved to tears on Saturday night, when dozens of inspirational Plymouth youngsters got together for the final of the YMCA Youth Awards 2025.

The awards, sponsored by Plymouth City Council in association with YMCA Plymouth and Discovery College, aims to celebrate children and young adults under 21 across the city for their outstanding achievements, tireless dedication to creating change and inspiring feats against adversity.

The ceremony, produced by PL1 Events and hosted by TV and radio broadcaster David Fitzgerald and YMCA’s Sarah Newberry, was a true reminder of the strength, passion, and resilience within our community’s youth, with emotional tales of bravery, determination, kindness and resilience.

YMCA Plymouth and Discovery College CEO, Tom Lavis, opened the event at the Crowne Plaza hotel on Saturday, explaining the night “belonged entirely to the young people of our city.”

He said: “At YMCA Plymouth, our passion and purpose has always been to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive. For over 175 years, we've stood alongside young people in Plymouth - offering support through youth work, education, wellbeing services, mentoring, training and a place where they can feel safe, valued and inspired.

“The youth awards are our opportunity to celebrate the strength, talent, compassion and determination of the incredible young people in our community. Every nominee here this evening represents a story of resilience, leadership, courage and what it means to rise above challenges and make a difference in the lives of others.

“These awards are not about being the loudest or the most visible, they are about recognising the quiet strength, the everyday bravery and the powerful potential that so many young people show - often without realising just how extraordinary they are.