TWO Maldon teenagers have received prestigious Jack Petchey Foundation achievement awards.

Plume pupil Ashlea Lacey, 16, and Charlotte Harris, 13, a Maldon Sharks swimming club member were recognised at an awards ceremony earlier this month.

In total 87 winners aged 11 to 25 received medallions to go with framed certificates and a £250 cheque.

Ashlea was described as a role model for others combining academic success with a love of sport and music.

She performs in the school band, is a youth health champion and international ambassador and carries out mentor work for the Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust.

Ashlea spent her £250 from the Jack Petchey Foundation on a music workshop for Key Stage 3 students.

Fellow winner Charlotte Harris was described as “showing encouragement to her peers and inspiring the younger swimmers”.

Her dedication to training has seen her enter the Essex Group Championships for the last four years and this year she competed in her first Regional Swimming Championships.

Charlotte decided to reward her club by using the £250 Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Award on a summer barbeque.

Sir Jack founded the Jack Petchey Foundation in 1999 to recognise the positive contributions young people make to society and to support them in achieving their potential.

Since then it has provided support to a wide range of 2,000 initiatives supporting young people across London and Essex and has reached a milestone investing £100m.

Sir Jack Petchey said “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded for their achievements and positive contributions to society.”