TWO teenagers have been presented with awards for their community work.

Angeline Umba and Matthew Martin, who are both aged 18 and study at Holy Cross College in Manchester Road, Bury, were invited to the Celebrating Young People Awards in London after impressing their tutors with their efforts to help others.

Angeline, of Heywood, volunteers with a charity that helps people in need and used her experience to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) among her fellow Holy Cross students.

Matthew, of Harwood, volunteered at a homeless help centre in Bolton.

Holy Cross principal David Frost said he was proud of the pair’s achievements. “I am delighted and very proud that our students have excelled in projects so related for our ethos and values,” added Mr Frost.

Angeline, who is now studying broadcast journalism at the University of Leeds, has been volunteering with her family at the Nestac charity since 2010.

It was established to support Africans and other migrants living in the North West to ensure they are included within the community.

After attending a project management workshop last September, Angeline gave a presentation to her classmates and organised an arts and poetry contest on the theme of FGM awareness. Twelve Holy Cross students entered and Angeline showcased their work during a presentation to the EU Conference in London in May.

“It was a really good experience and people reacted very positively to my presentation,” said Angeline.

She added: “I’m happy to have won the award (called the St Josephine Bakhita Award for Celebrating Human Dignity), but the main thing is being able to raise awareness about FGM among people at the college.”

Matthew’s mother Natalie volunteers cutting hair at the Urban Outreach charity, which helps homeless people in Bolton.

She inspired her son to help out at the centre, preparing meals for up to 70 homeless people in Bark Street, Bolton, on weekend evenings.

“I think it is important to help others in need and it was good to be able to chat with the homeless people who visit the centre,” said Matthew.

He added: “I was so shocked to win the Pope Francis Overall Youth Award.

“I really didn’t expect it, but it is good that the work that goes on at Urban Outreach is getting publicity.”