A kind-hearted teenager from Bristol has been rewarded for her charity work after becoming one of the winners in our Community Stars competition.
Alanis Phillips was nominated by a family friend for an award after we launched Community Stars to celebrate unsung heroes across the South West.
Alanis, 15, has been making key rings and selling them at the front of her house in an effort to raise money for the NHS.
She has also organised online tombolas and raffles during lockdown as well as selling some of her toys from her garden.
She has raised £1,000 for the MPS (Mucopolysaccharide) Society which is the only UK charity supporting individuals and families affected by MPS and related diseases.
Alanis, who lives in Bedminster, was adopted by Sarah Young after losing both of her parents at an early age and was the first baby to be born and diagnosed with Fetal alcohol syndrome in Bristol in 2005.
She has also raised £1,000 for the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) after one of Sarah’s son’s mother-in-law, Julie Stewart, passed away from Covid-19.
Since then Alanis has raised another £1,000 for Bristol Hospital’s ICU after Sarah’s daughter-in-law’s father, Dirk Corston, fell ill with Covid-19. The charity Alanis is raising money for is ‘Keep fighting Dirk Corston’ and all the money is going to the ICU unit.
Sarah Young, who has six children and 16 grandchildren, said: “It is lovely that Alanis has been recognised in this way.
“She is thrilled to be called a Community Star. She is a very affectionate girl and knows what it is like to lose somebody.
“So she enjoys raising money for different charities. Her family love her dearly and her confidence is developing all the time.
“She is happy to raise money for the NHS as she knows what a fantastic job they do.”
Sarah, 57, who works at Marine and Friends Fundraisers Shop in Brislington and has been a foster carer and childminder for more than 40 years, added: “Alanis has learning difficulties so she doesn’t always understand everything, but she knows how much everybody loves her.
“She has been through a lot in life and focusing on charity work has really helped her to overcome some of her difficulties.
“Thank you to LiveWest for organising this competition as it is lovely that people in the community can be recognised and celebrated in this way.”
Alanis added: “Thank you very much LiveWest, I am so pleased to have been given this award.”
Trudy Coates, a family friend who nominated Alanis, said: “Everybody loves Alanis, she has a heart of gold.
“She is a sweet girl and the money she has raised for charity is amazing. She is so selfless and kind-hearted.
“I was desperate for her to be rewarded for all the hard work she does and this is great recognition for her.
“She truly deserves it as she is a real inspiration.
“I have been friends with Alanis’ mum for a long time and she has supported every step of the way.”