SCHOOLGIRL Molly Downey is the first winner of a prize named in honour of a Cardenden champion.

The 13-year-old, a pupil at Lochgelly High, accepted the Janet Dickson Award for outstanding contribution to youth work at the Bowhill Centre.

And Janet, a senior youth worker who has been changing the lives of young people in Cardenden for over 30 years, was on hand to congratulate Molly.

It was just one of the prizes handed out at a celebratory evening to mark the achievements of the young people who took part in the youth work programme at the Bowhill Children’s Club.

Margaret King, community education worker, said: “The awards evening was a huge success, we had a fantastic night and the children were delighted to receive their certificates.

“I’d like to say a huge thank-you to the youth workers, volunteers and of course the children for all their hard work over the past year and to the families who contributed to the success of the evening.”

Certificates were awarded to the children and the audience of parents and family members were treated to a slideshow depicting the different activities they have been undertaking throughout the year.

The programme aims to improve self-esteem and confidence among the participants.

The awards categories demonstrate how the club has made a difference to the children, including: Fair play; Participation; Confidence; Cooking; Kindness; Humour and Leadership.

Young people who help out at the club on a weekly basis were also recognised with Alesha McLean named Ambassador to the club and presented with a certificate and badge.