THE stereotype-busting Kids Are Alright campaign has made it through to the next stage of the prestigious Justice Awards. Spearheaded by the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard and a number of partner agencies, the campaign highlights positive contributions Fenl

THE stereotype-busting Kids Are Alright campaign has made it through to the next stage of the prestigious Justice Awards.

Spearheaded by the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard and a number of partner agencies, the campaign highlights positive contributions Fenland's youngsters make to society.

The group behind the year-long project is among 10 teams nationwide that have been shortlisted for the 'engaging communities' category of the Justice Awards.

Tom Jefford, chairman of Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board and head of Cambridgeshire's Youth Support Services, nominated the team to recognise those who have gone the extra mile in delivering justice.

In his nomination, Mr Jefford said: "Positive images of young people are incredibly important because they so often end up being targeted by the media and seen as a problem. This campaign is a great opportunity to show what young people are really about."

Campaign spokeswoman Tali Iserles said: "We're thrilled that the Kids Are Alright team have made it to the next stage of the Justice Awards. So much work has gone into this and we feel it's already making a difference in Fenland."

Launched in February, the campaign includes the largest ever survey measuring attitudes to youth and a separate questionnaire to see how young people feel they're perceived by others.

Each week the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard feature a young person or group whose efforts are benefiting society, with readers encouraged to nominate worthy youth for a Kids Are Alright Award.

Editor John Elworthy said: "We saw in this campaign the opportunity to strike a blow for Fenland across the whole of Cambridgeshire by emphasising the vibrancy of our community and the astonishing depth of character and purpose inherent in many of our young people.

"Yes, the Kids Are Alright - and I've very proud to lead a newspaper that says so, week in and week out."

The campaign also includes community events and thought-provoking posters featuring local teenagers. All the artwork has been designed by Wisbech graphic design student Beth Moore, 19.

The Kids Are Alright is being used as a case study by the National Foundation for Educational Research into its research around representations of young people.