YOUNG volunteers have been recognised for devoting more than 7,000 hours of their free time to community activities.

The 44 students from Ripon Grammar School have committed a total of 300 days between them to coaching sports, helping disabled riders, working in charity shops and acting as peer mentors to fellow students.

The volunteers have now earned the title of Lions Young Leaders in Service and each was presented with a certificate and badge by Jane Armitage, youth coordinator for the Lions.

Mrs Armitage said: “The idea is that young people get into the habit of volunteering by helping people in any way they can.”

Eve Turner, 15, of Sharow, led the field for completing 327 hours in a year by helping at her local stables every Sunday.

She was closely following by Eleanor McGregor, 15, of Leeming Bar, who helps with Riding for the Disabled at Catterick Garrison riding club.

“I go every Saturday for an hour and a half, so it’s taken a long time to build up to 326 hours,” she said.

The students’ involvement in the Lions programme was organised by PE teacher Helen Mackenzie, who has given much of her own time to volunteering.

She said: “I like the saying, “a volunteer is not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless’.”