Golden Apple awards: Who will be the Against All Odds winner?

Oliver Hodgson, Saeed Al Hamam and Spencer McGladdery have made the final three for the award after being nominated for their philanthropic deeds.

Oliver Hodgson defied the odds when he launched his firm at the tender age of 16 in March 2020, a week into the UK's first lockdown.

Oliver left school aged 15 in the summer of 2019 with severe mental health difficulties, struggling with intense bullying and social pressures.

He said he endured bullying from the day he stepped into secondary school to the day he left. Oliver came out of education with serious social aniexty, which affected his family life.

Due to leaving school early, and with the Covid-19 pandemic, Oliver doesn't have a single GCSE qualification, many would say this would have held him back...

Determined not to let the bullies win, he launched Platinum Live, which has now grown to be a global creative communications agency that works with clients across the world in a vast range of sectors.

Platinum Live has a team of six and with a six-figure turnover, he opened the agency's first offices in May 2021. Led by Oliver they are described as a Gen Z-powered disruptive communications agency. 

Oliver's nominator said: "He's 18, and he's leading the way forward and a thought leader for change.

"Oliver is defying the odds, he's going against the grain, and is inspiring many young people across Cumbria in the process."

Oliver Hodgson (Image: Newsquest)

Saeed Al Hamam is the second nominee in this category. Saeed initially arrived in Cumbria as a refugee from Lebanon five years ago, attending St Benedict's Catholic High School in Whitehaven before coming to Lakes College.

When he joined the college he spoke minimal English and it took a while for him to work out which course he really wanted to be on - but as soon as he found his calling, studying VRQ Level 2 Ladies & Gents Hairdressing, he started to thrive.

This academic year Saeed has come on leaps and bounds as he has developed both his professional and personal skills, all while maintaining a smile on his face and throwing himself into every challenge.

Saeed's nominator said: "Saeed's motivation is extremely high and he has ambitions to be successful within the barbering sector.

"The respect he has for not only his tutors but also his peers is outstanding. He is never late to a lesson and his attendance is great.

"He constantly listens to feedback and takes it on board to improve his work and gives the best to his clients."

Saeed's heart is set on being a barber; so much so that he has gone out and got himself a job in a new barber shop after a successful interview to earn vital experience.

His nominator said he is always smiling and just an all-round fantastic student to teach. He is going to go really far in the industry.

Saeed Al Hamam attend Lakes College (Image: Newsquest)

Spencer McGladdery is the third finalist in this category. Spencer is now studying in his second year at Barrow Sixth Form College taking A-Level Media,  A-Level Film Studies and Level 3 Performing Arts.

Spencer spoke about his reaction to the nomination saying: “My first reaction when my tutor told me was ‘what is a Golden Apple’!

"I was honestly thrilled to be nominated for this award and quite happy to hear that there are awards for such things.

"This is everyday life for me, I want to look after people, I enjoy caring and I didn’t realise it was anything special, I am just being who I am and I want to do it."

He went onto say: “There have been stressful periods in my life but I love college and I realise the importance of getting an education.

"College is a place where I come to see my friends, to relax, it is a very important place and it is a dream to be here.”

While Spencer works towards his exams, he is also the lead singer in a band called No Added Sugar and hopes to one day tour with his friends and bandmates.

Spencer McGladdery (Image: Newsquest)

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