COMMUNITY STARS Paul Sanderson, a true inspiration

A PASSION for helping people in developing countries has earned Paul Sanderson a nomination in the Herald and Gazette Community Stars Awards.

A PASSION for helping people in developing countries has earned Paul Sanderson a nomination in the Herald and Gazette Community Stars Awards.

Sheymron Edwards said Paul was the reason she went on a charity trip to Ethiopia and now wants to work in the charity sector, so she can make a difference in developing countries.

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And because of this, she has nominated him in the True Inspiration category.

Sheymron, 15, said: “Paul has a passion for educating young people about the lives of disadvantaged children and young adults, and inspiring them to actively help to make a difference to their lives.

“I admire him greatly and felt so lucky and appreciative to get the chance to go out to Ethiopia and help young adults with special needs.

“Paul is an extremely inspirational role model and has opened my eyes to how I can be a better person and feel fulfilled by helping others.”

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Sheymron, who lives in Arundel, travelled to Ethiopia at the end of last year with six fellow pupils from the Littlehampton Academy.

She went with the Cred Foundation, for whom Paul used to be a director.

They travelled to Addis Ababa and spent 10 days volunteering.

Sheymron said she had to raise £1,000 to pay for the trip, and Paul, who is now the academy’s chaplain, was there every step of the way to support her and the pupils.

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She added: “He was very supportive and he really helped all of us.

“We could go to him whenever for advice or help with fund-raising and talk to him about ideas we were having.

“He is the reason I would like to do more volunteer work and to work for a charity when I am older.”

Paul, who has been chaplain at the academy for a year, said: “It’s a honour to be nominated.

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“We have taken groups from the academy on volunteer trips for three years and you try to create opportunities for the students to be encouraged and it’s nice to hear when they have.”

Voting in the Community Stars awards begins on Thursday, October 14.

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