On Tuesday January 18, the High Sheriff of Dorset, Mr Michael Dooley, visited Sturminster Newton High School to present a High Sheriff’s Award to Shaun Weeks for his long-standing support of the young people of Sturminster Newton and the surrounding villages.

Shaun is a huge asset to the young people of the area and gives significant proportions of his time to local young people in a number of ways.

In 2001 Shaun started up the boxing gym, it has since produced several national champions and currently has one boxer on the England pathway. Shaun has worked to support, mentor and guide students and their families and encouraged young people into youth sports. This has developed their confidence, trust and self-esteem which has in turn served to remove barriers within the school and allowed them to be successful in their education.

Most recently Shaun has been one of the community volunteers as part of Sturminster Newton High School’s enrichment programme, where he runs an introduction to boxing for beginners which has led to several students becoming part of the main club as well as expanding the opportunities, expectations and horizons of a great deal more. In addition, Shaun has also sponsored a PSHE programme ‘The Fight Against Knife Crime’ aimed at older students as part of the Sturminster Newton Boxing Club.

Shaun has also supported the local community in many other ways, being a key member of Stalbridge Youth Football Club. He regularly fund-raises for the organisations he is involved with and recently raised over £2000 for Julia’s House by coming out of retirement himself and boxing two matches with local people.

Head teacher Mr Davis said: “We are extremely fortunate in this community to have so many local people who are prepared to freely donate time and effort to the school and local projects for young people.

“We hope everyone joins us in congratulating Shaun on his award.”