Teenager Gemma Hall was stunned when she went to an event to pick up a Duke of Edinburgh Award and ended up being revealed as Bristol’s young person of the year.

Gemma, 15, received the accolade for her dedication in working as a volunteer with a special needs group at New Fosseway Special School in Hartcliffe.

The help she gives to a disabled youngster of her own age was highlighted in the nomination for her award, including keeping him entertained, manipulating his limbs to keep him mobile and supporting him as he copes with the obstacles of daily life.

Gemma, of Maynard Road, Hartcliffe, attends the student support unit at Bridge Learning Campus, the country’s first all-through school run by a trust comprising the University of the West of England, City of Bristol College and Bristol City Council.

The unit is for pupils who have problems in mainstream schools but Gemma has made such strides through her volunteering that she is now hoping to go to college and make a career of caring. Darran Miah, head of Key Stage Four at the unit, nominated the youngster for the award, which was presented at the Inspire Bristol event.

Young people aged from 11 to 25 from across the city attended so the contribution they make to life in the city could be recognised.

Gemma, who has recently completed her bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, was presented with that award before being called back to be told she had also been named young person of the year, for which she had been nominated by Darran.

Darran said: “It was a nice surprise for her. She was just sitting there and then her name was read out.”

The nomination said: “Gemma has shown such selfless commitment and brings so much love and light to those she cares for.

“She has inspired all those who see her in her role as a volunteer and has made a real impact, bringing a smile to many faces.

“Gemma herself has faced difficulties but she is an angel to those who need her and we have absolute admiration for her.”

The teenager said the award had made her “really happy”.

She said: “I help at the New Fosseway School every Tuesday and Thursday in the afternoon. It’s really good at the student support centre because the teachers help me and I get a good education.

“I enjoyed doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. I learnt new things and went camping, canoeing and walking. I want to do the silver award next.”

add to young people’s awards.

FIVE other awards were presented at the event.

They included the Active Award, which went to Jahrel Thomas, 16, of Westminster Road, Whitehall, who discovered a passion for dance which has stopped him getting into trouble.

He now attends a dance school in Swindon, as well as caring for his disabled mother, and recently prepared a group of children to perform at the Celebration of Success at the Council House.

John Langley, 21, of Bruce Avenue, Greenbank, won the Volunteering Award.

Both he and his mum are disabled and he is her main carer but he works to improve the lives of other young disabled people in his volunteer work with various youth groups. He now wants to become a youth worker.

Luke O’Brien, 16, of Gorse Street, Fishponds, received the Education Award after becoming a role model in his community and a member of the youth parliament, having turned his back on gang culture and a period of getting in trouble with the police.

His studies led to academic improvements, gaining GCSEs in maths, English and science, and he is now working as a painting and decorating apprentice .

The Barclays Money Skills Enterprise and Innovation Award went to James Ashton-Bell, 24, of Alma Vale Road, Clifton, a politics student at Bristol University.

His involvement with the primary schools outreach project run by Student Community Action has seen him give thousands of hours, first as a teaching assistant in Bristol schools and then as manager of the project, which he has helped expand.

The Creative Award went to New Generation Takeover Steering Group, whose members are Jagos Holmes, 20, Vince Baidoo, 20, Betty Belsten, 15, Abi Ward, 15, Laney Gugunava, 17, and Cherell Grant, 22.

They worked voluntarily to programme, manage and stage the sell-out youth event New Generation Takeover at the Colston Hall, which brought young performers from across the city together.