A group of Havering youngsters have been presented with Jack Petchey awards for their achievements.

Romford Recorder: Jack Petchey Award winners from Fun and Funky School of Dance with Jenny Pacey, who presented the awards.Jack Petchey Award winners from Fun and Funky School of Dance with Jenny Pacey, who presented the awards. (Image: Archant)

They were given the awards at an annual event at the Queen’s Theatre, in Hornchurch, last week.

Winners, who were aged 11 to 25, received medallions, a certificate and a £200 cheque.

One of the winners was Fun and Funky School of Dance, based in Tweed Way, Romford.

Member Lauren Parker, 13, won her award for showing great potential and dedication to her love of dance.

The judges said she is consisted and rises to challenging choreography with enthusiasm and attach and wishes to progress onto pointe work.

Lauren suffers from ankle problems and is under hospital direction. She has been given exercises to strengthen her ankles using a Thera-Band.

She said she felt this would benefit everyone’s development in ballet and after consulting her physiotherapist and the school’s ballet teachers these exercises will be incorporated into lessons for all dancers.

The grant will be spent on Thera-Bands for ballet class work.

Other winners from the group included Sophie Matthews, Olivia Gregory, Mary Doige, Lauren Parker, Megan Welsh and leader award winner Sarah Eley.

Founder Jack Petchey CBE said: “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded for their achievements and positive contributions to society.”