Worksop: Top award for selfless teenage volunteer Michael

Year for Notts.

Michael Pullin, 16, of RichmondRoad, Carlton-in-Lindrick, won the Junior YOPEY award after giving his time to volunteer at variousorganisations, despite having Asperger’s Syndrome.

He is a leading cadet at St John Ambulance, often taking charge of cadets in drill and assisting adult leaders.

Michael is also an explorer scout at 1st Carlton-in-Lindrick Scouts and helps run the Beaver Colony as a youngleader, as well as playing drums during Sunday services at Retford Baptist Church.

In the summer he and 13 fellow pupils from Outwood Academy Portland spent three weeks in Kenya, helping build a primary school, teaching basic Englishand maths and coaching sport.

Each pupil had to raise £3,000 to go on thelife-changing trip.

“We visited the slums, taught the children in the schools and plastered and painted walls for them, amongst many other things,” said Michael.

“It was hugely rewarding and an emotional time.”

Judges described Michael as a ‘serial volunteer’, giving to so many and provingAsperger’s is not an obstacle.

Michael was ‘overwhelmed’ at his success, which he did not expect.

He said: “The road to this point has not been an easy one. I have grown up struggling particularly with learning appropriate social and language skills.”

“Although I have been bullied, especially at primary school, I never let it or my disability stop me striving to achieve success and help others. I want to be the best person that I can be,” he added.