Dingli youth is OASI's youth of the year

Aurelio Tanti of Dingli is the winner of the Youth of the Year Award given by OASI Foundation of Gozo.

The award was presented by President Guido de Marco during a ceremony at L-Imgarr Hotel in Gozo.

Aurelio was praised for his continuous dedication towards Etienne Zammit, his 27-year-old friend who is blind.

The award is given in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo, the Ministry for Youths and Arts and The National Youth Council.

The purpose of the award is to publicly recognise those youths who dedicate their time to voluntary work in society.

The other nominees were Maria Christina Barbara, nominated by the Ursuline Sisters Creche; Manrico Bugeja (The Helping Hands Group); Rita Buttigieg (Nadur Youth Centre), Stefan Cauchi (STAND); Stephen Borg, Evan Cutajar, Andrew Galea, Etienne Gilson, Colin Sammut, Samuel Spiteri (St Francis Friary); Angie Pace (Nadur Youth Centre); Petrina Vella (Birzebbuga local council and ZAK); and Josephine Xuereb, (Qala youth centre).

Aurelio Tanti was nominated by Dingli Council.

The selection committee was headed by Dr Michael Refalo.