Event organised by the Spirit of London Awards

Students in Queen’s Park were treated to inspirational talks from an array of famous faces as part of a scheme to inspire youngsters.

Among the guests who popped into Queen’s Park Community School, included Olympic medallist Tasha Danvers and Team GB hopeful Chloe Spiteri.

The day was organised by the Spirit of London Awards (SOLA), set-up to honour positive youngsters across the capital.

Students were given the chance to listen to motivational speeches and discuss how to achieve their true potential.

Speaking about SOLA, Ms Danvers, a Bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing games in the 400m hurdles, said it was vital for young people to have roll models in life.

She said: “The Spirit of London Awards schools roadshow is a great way for students to meet the role model next door, people who come from similar backgrounds and the same city who have succeeded.

“I am honoured to have this opportunity and hope it truly inspires young people to achieve their full potential” Also at the event last were 19-year old singer J-SOL and 19-year-old entrepreneur Omar Choudhury.

Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala, Labour councillor for Stonebridge, also praised the scheme.

He said: “We are really glad the Spirit of London Awards has come to the borough, it is a great opportunity to encourage the aspirations of Brent’s talented young people and inspire them to achieve to the best of their potential”

Pupil Poonam Maisuria, hailed the day as a ‘wonderful experience’, she said: “I am really grateful that the members went out of their way to speak to us and give us very motivational advice.

I learnt a lot from the talk and I think its such an amazing thing that an organisation like this has been set up to boost young people’s confidence and to acknowledge the good things the majority of young people do, instead of focusing on the negative minority.”

The Spirit of London Awards is an award scheme which rewards positive young people from across the capital.

It was set up in 2008 by the Damilola Taylor Trust, a charity which was formed following the murder of ten-year-old Damilola Taylor in Peckham in 2000.

It acts as a legacy for him and others lost to youth violence.