A FORMER resident at YMCA Worcestershire has been recognised for his hard work in the community by being shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Hugo Sugg, aged 23, of St John’s, Worcester, has been shortlisted to receive volunteer of the year award in this year’s YMCA Youth Matters Awards.

The award recognises the achievements of young people who have overcome significant obstacles to make a difference to their lives and their community.

Mr Sugg is one of five inspiring young people shortlisted from YMCAs across England who will battle it out in an online vote for the hotly-contested honour.

Youth Matters is the organisation’s national awards ceremony which recognises the exceptional skills and talents of young people across the YMCA and celebrates the work that centres do throughout the country.

Sarah Harris, community development manager at YMCA Worcestershire, said: “Hugo has worked really hard and fully deserves the award of volunteer of the year.

“During his time living at YMCA, Hugo felt that residents could be engaged in something if given the right motivation and he came up with the idea to run his own version of the Olympic Games – the Worcestershire YMCA ‘WYM’Pic Games’.

“Using his initiative, Hugo organised and ran the games on a shoestring budget and enjoyed huge success, with residents engaging not only as participants but also as volunteers.”

The three nominees with the most votes go onto the final stage where they will be judged by a panel.

Mr Sugg said he was thrilled to be shortlisted.

“A special thank you to Worcestershire YMCA staff for the nomination and recognition,” he said.

“I really appreciate everything the YMCA has done for me and I really hope I get to the final.”

The nomination profiles and online voting is now live and open to the public through YMCA England’s website at ymca.org.uk/awards