MORE than 100 people from schools and clubs across Southend came together to receive prestigious Jack Petchey awards.

The event, held at the Palace Theatre on Wednesday, honoured 106 young people for their achievements inside and outside of school.

The achievement award winners, aged 11 to 25, received medallions, certificates and a £250 cheque each after they were nominated by peers and leaders.

In addition, five adults also received a leader award certificate after demonstrating outstanding ways to motivate young people.

Winners included Sinead Collins, 13, who attends the Eastwood Academy.

In May last year, as Sinead was walking home, she saw a woman having a seizure.

After she ensured that there were no hazards, she used her blazer to cushion the woman’s head and stayed with her until she recovered.

Thomas Miller, 12, who attends Southend High School for Boys, was awarded for using his passion for sports for the greater good.

He raised £200 by completing the London Mini Marathon last year, and came fourth in his age category - an amazing achievement.

In the past, Thomas has also raised £1,000 for the Danny Green fund, which works to support those recovering from Posterior Fossa Syndrome.

Bowe Cann, 13, and Olivia Sleap, 14, both attend St Bernard’s High School.

Recently, they positively represented the school in the local community after they came to the aid of a person who had fallen ill and was having a fit in the street.

The girls called an ambulance and stayed with the person until it arrived.

Sophie Sims, 15, who attends Belfairs Academy, was recognised for dedicating her free time to designing and making her own bags to sell for charity.

The money she raises is donated to a local horse riding charity, which works with disabled people and is used to help them buy new equipment.

Tanya Iyer, 15, who attends Westcliff High School for Girls, showed real maturity when she witnessed a car accident in April last year.

Tanya went straight to the car and switched off the engine. She then stayed at the scene until help arrived. She phoned her aunt, who is a doctor, and on her advice she kept checking the driver’s pulse.

Sadly, the man passed away but Tanya’s presence made his last moments more comforting.

Councillor Derek Jarvis, Southend’s deputy mayor, said: “It was an exhilarating and uplifting experience seeing so many young people putting so much effort into achieving.

“Special thanks of course must go to the Jack Petchey Foundation.”