RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has hosted the annual Kids Count Inspiration Awards on the Terrace of the House of Commons.

Kids Count is a national charity set up to provide young people and small community organisations with a voice and to educate, develop and empower disadvantaged young people.

Mr Evans said: “It is a great honour to be involved not only with Kids Count but also to have been able to host the Inspiration Awards in parliament.

“Meeting and hearing of young people with truly inspirational stories is a lesson to all of us.

“For instance, at last year’s awards I met the late Stephen Sutton, who went on to raise £5million for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“I cannot think of a better phrase than Kids Count’s own mission statement: It’s not where you start in life but where you finish.

“The awards are an opportunity to recognise the unsung heroes who are a key part of every community, from groups for disadvantaged young people to young people who are standing up as role models for their peers.”