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The annual I Awards, held at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel on Friday night (5 February 2016), celebrated the efforts of Wolverhampton's looked after children and care leavers and recognised their hard work and success in a range of categories over the last 12 months.
More than 200 children and young people were invited to collect awards in recognition of a wide range of achievements, from doing well at school to getting involved in their local community.
The I Awards also celebrated success in creativity and art and recognised the achievements of care leavers who are taking the next steps in their lives.
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "I am extremely proud of the achievements of looked after children in Wolverhampton, and the I Awards are a great way for us to encourage them to aim high and reward them for their hard work.
"It's also a fantastic opportunity for the young people themselves to celebrate their successes with their foster carers and support workers.
"Many children in care will have previously gone through a very difficult period in their young lives, and so it's all the more important that we celebrate their success.
"We heard some moving stories of achievement which, coupled with the invaluable support of their carers, has enabled our young people to achieve in many different ways. I am delighted that we were able to reward so many of our inspirational young people.
"It was also a chance for us to say thank you to our many foster carers, who do such a good job looking after children in care, and I'd encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer to visit the Fostering for Wolverhampton Type=articles;Articleid=3758;Title=webpage; or call us on 01902 551133."
As well as the presentation ceremony, the I Awards evening also featured music and dance performances by local children and young people.
- released: Tuesday 9 February, 2016