Spirit of London Awards

Approximately two weeks before the awards night the three nominees in each category, the sponsors of the event and performers on the night get a chance to meet each other at 10 Downing Street before the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom delivers a speech.[8]

Previous nominees along with a celebrity ambassador go to secondary schools all over London to speak to the students about their experiences. There is also a Q&A at the end when students can ask questions.

In 2012 the roadshow went to over 20 schools in London.[9]

In 2012 using the collection of ideas from 140 young ambassadors of SOLA and other young people around London's most disadvantaged areas a youth manifesto was created which delivers ideas on how the government can effectively engage young people in the UK. It was written by 23-year-old Oliver Hypolite-Bishop who also wrote Siobhan Benita's manifesto for the 2012 London mayoral election. It was presented to David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on 29 November 2012.[10]

Lucas Pinto (8), winner of the Young Hero Award 2011

Alexandra Burke performing for SOLA

Each category has three nominees shortlisted. (Sometimes one more is added in special circumstances.)

• Community Champions Award - Young people who strive through their endeavors and positive actions to make their mark on their local community.
• London Legend Award - The award goes to the iconic Londoner who young people feel deserves recognition for their role in promoting London positively on the world stage.
• Young Heroes Award (Mayor's Order of Merit) - An award for special kids whose special deeds have made a difference to their local community.
• Achievement Through Sport Award - For young people who either excel themselves against the odds or who use sport to help others in the community.
• Achievement Through Music Award - Young people who use their ability with music to progress in life or to brighten up the lives of others in their communities.
• Community Business Entrepreneur Award - This award is for a young person or group of young people who light their local community with their enterprise through business.
• Achievement Through Education Award - An important award category and one which will be awarded not necessarily to an individual but perhaps to a class of young people who have excelled together and brightened up their local community in doing so.
• Achievement Through The Arts Award - An awards category for those that make their mark creatively in the arts world - film, television, theater, literature and then light up the world for others in doing so.
• Special Recognition Award - This award is made for outstanding contribution to charity campaigning.

The awards ceremony on 10 December was held at The O2 Arena in Greenwich.[11] The hosts for this event were Emily Atack and Russell Kane; the confirmed line up performing on the night included Labrinth, Maverick Sabre, Stooshe, McFly, Noisettes, YolanDa Brown, Diversity and Angel.[12]

The submissions for each category this year averaged 3000 nominations.

The Spirit of London Awards will become the biggest ever youth event with an 8000-seater audience celebrating the young people of the UK.

The awards were held on 20 November 2011. The event was at The Royal Albert Hall[13] and was hosted by Stacey Solomon and Eddie Kadi.

Performers on the night included Tinchy Stryder, Beverley Knight, DJ Fresh, Diversity and Keri Hilson.

The awards were held 27 November 2010. This year's event was held at the IndigO2 in Greenwich, and was hosted by Tamar Hussan (Clash of the Titans) and Tasha Danvers (Olympic bronze medalist in 400m hurdles).

The supporting cast included such acts as Toploader, Roll Deep, Labrinth, Robbie Craig, Diversity, and Alexandra Burke.

In attendance were distinguished celebrities such as Sir Michael Caine, JLS, Tasha Danvers, and Tamar Hassan, the majority of the mayors from the 33 London boroughs, senior executives from various sponsors, and notable government officials.[15]

The show was hosted by Brooke Kinsella and Lemar. There were performances by Alexandra Burke, DJ Ironik, and Diversity to name but a few who gave their time for free to celebrate the young people.