YOUNG carer and role model Jasmin Searle, of Bridgwater, was one of just two young people given a Sandy Padgett Award.

She was among those recognised at the 2014 Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

Sandy Padgett Awards are presented in memory of the police chief superintendent who was a firm supporter of the awards before she died suddenly in 2009.

Sandy’s husband Kenneth attended the ceremony to present the year ten Chilton Trinity School student with her prize.

Despite dealing with the challenge of being a young carer, Jasmin is positive at all times and has thrown herself with dedication and commitment into her GCSE studies and, recently, the school’s production, Back to the Eighties.

Her nominator said: “She is such a friendly student who is always willing to help others.

“As well as being a young carer, she volunteers to sit on a steering group for young carers in Somerset – and she is so brilliant, they even want her to represent the whole county.

“She is an exceptional person and we are very proud of her here at Chilton Trinity.”

On the night, Jasmin told guests that being a young carer was hard at times but added: “It’s important that young carers have their say, so I’m willing to dedicate my time helping them. It makes a huge difference to their lives when they get the help they need.”

The budding actor also thanked her drama teacher Beth Tinker for her support.

The awards are run by the Rotary Club of Taunton, your Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Chard and Ilminster News, Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News and local radio station BBC Somerset.

A prize fund came from sponsorship from the Rotary Club, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset Cricket Museum and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Certificates were presented at Somerset College’s conference centre in Taunton, which was provided free by the college.

To watch video footage from the ceremony, which took place on March 7, see below.