FIVE teenagers from Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa have scooped places in the final stage of a top police awards ceremony.

The youngsters will be attending West Mercia police’s annual good citizen awards on Thursday, October 2. Toby Butler and two friends from Bromsgrove; Droitwich Spa resident Samantha Spencer and Kate Needham, from Cofton Hackett, have all got through to the final stage of the scheme and will attend the gala evening held at force headquarters, near Worcester.

Sixteen-year-old Toby and his two friends have been nominated for the help they gave to an elderly man who had fallen and hit his head.

The person who nominated them said the group ran into a pub asking for help and were given clean bar towels. They held the bar towels firmly on the gash to the man’s head and assisted by talking to the man, helping to keep him awake.

Samantha Spencer, aged 14, has been nominated for her charity and community work. Sammy has been a keen volunteer and fundraiser for several years, although she suffers from ill health herself. She recently attempted to set a new world record by forming a 900m line of pennies around Droitwich Spa High School’s athletics track.

The event raised more than £660, including over 54,000 pennies which were collected. Samantha supports diabetes charities, Home Start and Age Concern and is involved in the Lions Club.

Kate Needham, age 17, was nominated for her role as a family carer while studying and working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Kate is the main carer for her mother, who suffers from MS, and her younger brother. While doing this she manages to study full time for A-levels and a BTEC at South Bromsgrove Community High School.

All those short-listed receive a prize and £50. The winner gets £50, a £50 donation to charity and a trophy.