Derry 'Superstar' Yazmin up for Award

Young Yazmin Doherty from Derry is suit shopping for the glitzy ‘Families First NI: Spring Awards, Early Years’ ceremony.

The Oakgrove Integrated Primary School pupil found out a few days before Christmas she was a finalist in the ‘Child Superstar’ category.

Yazmin’s father, Gerard, said the whole family got a lovely surprise when Ann King, the awards’ organiser, phoned and said Yazmin had been nominated.

Speaking to Derry Now, Gerard said Yazmin’s mum, Nicola, and himself were very much looking forward to the prestigious event, which is taking place in the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast on March 20.

Giggling, Yazmin (7) said she was very excited when she heard she had been nominated. “I was so happy. I can’t wait to go to Belfast in March.”

According to Gerard, Ann told him Yazmin had been nominated for the Child Superstar Award because of the work she puts in every year for the River Radio annual Christmas Toy Appeal. 

“My favourite part of the Toy Appeal is going to the depot, pulling the toys around in the trolley and being on the forklift truck,” said Yazmin.

The Families First NI: Spring Awards, Early Years ceremony will be hosted by Cool FM’s Pete Snodden.

“TV and radio presenter, Robin Elliott will also be there recording wee interviews,” said Gerard.

The Toy Appeal was originally Yazmin’s idea and Gerard said he and Nicola were delighted when they were told about her award nomination.

He added: “Yazmin puts so much effort and commitment into the Toy Appeal every year and we are very, very proud of her. 

“It is amazing she has been nominated for this award because it means other people can see her commitment. It means too, Yazmin can see how much people in the North West appreciate the Toy Appeal.”

“I love helping my daddy with the Toy Appeal,” said Yazmin. “The best part is giving toys to everyone.

“I am looking forward to getting my new suit for Belfast and to having a day off school.” 

I’m sure Ms Slattery, Yazmin’s teacher, and her whole class, will wish her all the best for the Families First NI: Spring Awards, Early Years and have their fingers crossed.

Speaking to Derry Now, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Alderman Darren Guy (UUP) congratulated Yazmin on her ‘Child Superstar’.

Darren and his Council colleague Ald Ryan McCready, who have been involved in the River Radio Toy Appeal for a number of years, paid tribute to Yazmin and Gerard for their dedication in making sure every child has a present for Christmas.

Darren said: “Back in the day, when I taxied, I would have donated toys to the Salvation Army coming up to Christmas. Then, when Gerard announced the first Toy Appeal, I got in touch with him and volunteered our office Bond’s Street as a drop-off point for toy donations in the Waterside.

“At the same time, there was a woman from the Waterside who decided she would do a ‘Christmas Pyjama Appeal’, so we were the drop-off point for both.

“So we were getting the toys and the pyjamas in and because the cut-off point for the pyjama appeal was first, Gerard was coming in to pick up his toys and maybe had two or three bags of pyjamas to take with him as well, to add to the toys.

“The fact our office was handy to everybody to drop off donations on the way past, meant we always get loads of Toy Appeal donations.

“This year again, Gerard contacted us and said the Salvation Army had done the 300 families it normally did but he still had toys.

“He asked us if we knew anyone in the community who needed presents for children for Christmas, for any reason, to let him know.

“We put it out and a few people got in contact with Gerard who brought presents to them or he brought them down to the River Radio depot in Maydown. People were going away in tears.”

Darren said there was one family having difficulty getting presents for four children.

“I phoned Gerard and he asked me to meet him in the office in an hour and before the night was out, that family had everything they needed for all of the children, really good presents I’m talking about.

“I have to say, the people in this Council area are superb when it comes to helping anyone out. Everybody is really good and they don’t scrimp either. It is the best of everything. If they are buying their kids the best of toys, then they are donating the best of toys to the Top Appeal.

“I have to commend Gerard and, of course, Yazmin for their hard work. Gerard doesn’t stop from the appeal opens till Christmas Eve.

“He takes the toys to wherever they are needed, Strabane, all over the town - Waterside, Cityside. Gerard will go wherever the toys are needed. I think he deserves recognition.

“It is great what he is doing. It has really grown legs in the last few years. He even runs the Santa Day in Toytown in Lisnagelvin.”