A YOUNGSTER from a Dudley borough group which keeps the Olympic legacy alive took centre stage at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Renee Edwards, aged 16, was one of the star attractions at Birmingham’s Paragon Hotel as more than 100 young legacy leaders celebrated and showcased their work on the Get Set to Make a Change programme.

The Get Set to Make a Change programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, has been running since October and encourages youngsters keep the spirit of London 2012 alive.

The award marked the work of Renee and Netherton-based Enlight Youth Group who teach children about healthy lifestyles and the five ways of well-being.

Their hard work didn’t go unnoticed with Olympic medal-winning gymnast Max Whitlock, who won pommel horse and team bronze at London 2012, as well as double Paralympic table tennis medallist Will Bayley, handing Enlight Projects an award to commemorate the youngsters’ efforts.

Renee Edwards said: “It’s great to be here and share what we have been doing around Dudley. I’ve been talking to lots of other groups and legacy leaders and what they’ve been up to.

“I also learnt myself how to keep up a healthy lifestyle and how to influence children to live a healthy lifestyle and it gave me loads of confidence too.

“It was really good to meet Will and Max, they were really nice and it was great to hear how they progressed from just starting out to making it to London and winning medals.

“We are going to keep trying to make a difference. We’ve been creating youth exchanges to share messages abroad with other people too.”

Through GSTMC, the British Olympic Foundation, in conjunction with the British Paralympic Association is using the spirit of the London Games to re-inspire young people across the UK.

The project is being supported by a £2.5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive campaign. For more information visit www.makeachange.org.uk