On 12 March thirteen youngsters received certificates from the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Judy Pearson, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to communities across the county.  Among those honoured include 17-year-olds Luke Slater and Daniel Stephen, who run a Saturday youth club for teenagers in Newmarket Road, Cambridge, called Parent Free Zone, and Rebecca Rayner was recognised for her tireless fundraising efforts and her work to mentor young cadets in the Huntingdon Sea Cadets.

There were also awards for a leading member of the Fenzone youth council, Charlie Manders, and Robert McColl, who runs a bike repair training service in Peterborough.

The evening also saw the High Sheriff give more than £8,700 to a variety of youth projects, including a project run by Cambs East Girl Guides who work to provide Guiding opportunities for girls with special needs.  Other grant recipients include Romsey Mill, the Huntingdon and District Sea Cadets, Cottenham Village College, West Cambridge Christian Youth Ministries, Parent Free Zone, the Connections Bus Project, 1st Caxton Brownies and Rainbows, Comberton Ten Sing, Ely Army Cadet Force, Orwell Youth Club and Waterbeach Action for Youth.

The awards were presented at St Ivo School, in St Ives, and were attended by local dignitaries including local mayors and the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence.