PUPILS listened intently to inspirational speakers at a Spirit of London Awards.

Queens Park Community School, in Aylestone Avenue, invited role models, including an Olympic athlete, to inspire them and encourage them to nominate someone they knew who deserved a London-wide award.

Poonam Maisuria, who is in year 12 at the school, said: “Listening to the members of SOLA was a wonderful experience. I am really grateful that the members went out of their way to speak to us and give us very motivational advice.”

The Spirit of London Awards were set up by the Damilola Taylor Trust as a legacy for Damilola and all the other young people lost to violence.

Sixth form students listened to award finalists including 19-year-old singer J-SOL, 21-year-old Olympic hopeful Chloe Spiteri and 19-year-old owner of Six 2 Media, Omar Choudhury.

The event also included Olympic medallist Tasha Danvers and councillor for Stonebridge Zaffar Van Kalwala, who said afterwards: “We did a question and answer session and it was good to hear that a lot of the students were interested in politics as well.”