YAFTAS AWARDS 2019
YAFTAS Inspiration Young Person Award Winner 2019 was Cormac Savage l-r Anna Brown Down Area Youth Council, Chairman Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Mark Murnin presents Cormac with his Award, Alison Dunne Sponsor Specsavers Newry. Cormac is a pupil at St. Patricks Grammar School Downpatrick where he has been involved in Civic Education getting pupils involved in the democratic process. Cormac has co-ordinated the Make Your Mark Campaign in South Down, a youth campaign that decided on what issues the Youth Parliament should campaign on. Cormac contacted school principals directly and single handed secured involvement from 5 principals and 2,600 local students. Cormac was later elected to represent 30,000 local young people as a member of the Youth Parliament with 79% of the vote. He has delivered a speech on the subject of homelessness that was awarded the Paul Boskett MBE award. Cormac is an active volunteer in his local community with Mid Down MS support group, he also assists with Loughinisland amateur drama group, coaching drama to young children. This summer Cormac is planning to travel to Cambodia for 3 weeks to teach English, plant trees and build homes in some of the poorest communities in the world.