KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: Daniel, from Wisbech, turns his life around and devotes time to Fenland community

By ADAM LAZZARI TEENAGER Daniel Bredbere has overcome depression caused by violent bullies and is now prepared to put his life on the line for his country after being accepted into the Royal Navy. He has also volunteered his time to help the Fenland comm

By ADAM LAZZARI

TEENAGER Daniel Bredbere has overcome depression caused by violent bullies and is now prepared to put his life on the line for his country after being accepted into the Royal Navy.

He has also volunteered his time to help the Fenland community and been nominated for a Kids Are Alright award by his Connexions intensive personal advisor Dawn Carter.

Daniel, 18, from Wisbech was referred to Connexions three and a half years ago by the Queen's School, now known as Thomas Clarkson Community College.

Miss Carter said: "Daniel had suffered a lot of bullying. At one point he was badly beaten by a gang.

"He lacked confidence and self esteem. Every night he would come home from school and shut himself away in his room.

"He had so much anger in him. He would vent it by punching doors and walls."

Through working with Connexions, which is a governmental information, advice, guidance and support service for young people, and Nacro, a charity which aims to provide training and employment opportunities to young offenders, prisoners, ex-offenders, homeless people and other disadvantaged groups, Daniel has developed self confidence and gone on to give up much of his time to the Fenland community.

He has been involved with the Wisbech Rose Fair and worked with parent support advisors to run activity days at Orchard Primary School, Elm Road Primary School, Ramnoth Junior School, Nene Infants School during school holidays.

Daniel has been on several life skill courses, including the Grafham Water Peer Training scheme, and gained a Level 1 youth qualification in peer mentoring skills.

He has even helped Miss Carter as a peer mentor at Connexions and secured a job at ASDA supermarket.

Miss Carter said: "It's very impressive to see Daniel use the skills he's learned to help youngsters who have had similar problems to himself.

"He now has a positive outlook and the skills he has learned will help him for the rest of his life."

Daniel said: "I've enjoyed all the voluntary work that I've done and it's felt good to help young people with problems. I expect to do a lot more of it in the future.

"I've wanted to join the Navy since I was eight years old. I've now been accepted and will be joining in the next few months. I'm really excited about it."

n Daniel will now be considered for our monthly prize of �50 of High Street shopping vouchers.

A panel of three judges will consider is case along with other entries we receive and the decision will be published in March.

If you would like to make a nomination, send your entry with the heading 'Kids Are Alright Campaign' to Adam Lazzari, Cambs Times/ Wisbech Standard, 51 High Street, March, PE15 9JJ or, via e mail, to adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk

Please leave your name, address and daytime telephone number, plus your nominee's name, age and address and your reasons why you think they deserve a prize.

n To help us with our campaign we are inviting readers to fill out a survey at www.cambstimes24.co.uk or www.wisbechstandard24.co.uk

All entries will be put into a draw with a prize of one of five �50 High Street shopping vouchers. The deadline for the survey is March 6.