Thanks to a barrage of supporting votes, young trombonist Rhiannon Symonds, from Yorkley, has made it through to the final in the Ambition AXA Awards in The Arts category along with film maker Alfie Barker, 15, and violinist Clare Rees-Zimmermann, also 15.

Final

Rhiannon, 14, was down to the last five in her group and a national vote over 5 days shot her into the final to be held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 30th November.

A judging panel consisting of Alex James, Sir Alan Steer and a senior AXA executive and a member of the Arts Council England are now considering the three finalists applications and will announce their winner at the special awards dinner.

Reaching dreams

The Ambition Award for The Arts is awarded to a young person aged 11 -18 who dreams of reaching the top in their field and in order to help them do this the winner will receive a bespoke personalised development package worth £40,000.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. It’s been staggering the amount of support I received – from the readers of the local press and websites such as 4BRRhiannon Symonds

Thanks

Rhiannon told 4BR: "Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. It’s been staggering the amount of support I received – from the readers of the local press and websites such as 4BR.

I can’t thank you all enough! Fingers crossed now that the judging panel like what they see but all the finalists are incredible so I’m just delighted to be in with a chance of the award."