MORE than 40 young people from South Oxfordshire have won cash prizes for their dedication to sport, the arts and their communities.

South Oxfordshire District Council presented 43 exceptional youngsters with £250 for becoming Young Achievers and to support their efforts.

The award winners were honoured in a ceremony at Didcot’s Cornerstone arts centre on Tuesday. Among them was Simon Drew, 17, who has battled mental health problems and learning difficulties while caring for abandoned donkeys.

Simon, from Abbott Road, Didcot, was forced to leave Kingfisher School, in Abingdon, last year, after suffering a series of distressing anxiety attacks.

After he found it impossible to get work, his grandfather asked whether there were any volunteering opportunities at the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Now Simon spends three days a week mucking out, watering, feeding and taking care of the donkeys at the sanctuary, which takes in ill-treated animals.

He spends much of the rest of his time tending a community allotment at Didcot’s Vibe youth centre.

He said: “I’ve always liked animals, and looking after them, and I like being outdoors. It was a good job to get, to build up some experience.

“I know the donkeys really well now and they all have different personalities.

“They’re all alright, although sometimes they get a bit messy.

“When the letter came saying I had won an award, I was really happy and chuffed.”

His mother Diana, 50, said: “Simon has complex difficulties. This has let him do something on his own, and be able to go out on his own without me being with him.

“It means he can trust other people and it has really built up his confidence.”

Sporting siblings Gregor and Briony Hearn, from Ipsden, each picked up a prize.

Briony, 13, plays hockey for Oxfordshire, cricket for Berkshire, rounders for England, and is in the Midlands development squad for lacrosse, while Gregor, 17, is in the national squad for hockey, plays rugby for Oxfordshire, and cricket for Reading.

Gregor said: “Sport has been my life for years. My favourite is hockey, mainly because I’m better at it, but I also love rugby.”

The council’s chairman, Malcolm Leonard, said: “I’m so impressed at what these winners have achieved and at such young ages.

“The awards help celebrate some of the incredible talent we have in south Oxfordshire.”