Photographer who works with children in Uganda is honoured with award

A photographer who has picked up national and international awards for his work has been honoured by the Rotary Club of Lowestoft.

Julian Claxton was presented with the Annual Service Award, an accolade which has been presented annually for the past 45 years to a non-Rotarian individual or organisation that displays the Rotary spirit of service above self.

Mr Claxton started his working life as a photographer in the NHS. After some successful exhibitions produced in his spare time, one of the Norfolk Reed Cutter and one on the air ambulance, he decided ten years ago to become a freelance photographer.

Since 2014 he has been running a project in rural Uganda, teaching photography to school children from the region, entitled 'give a child a camera'. Throughout rural villages in Uganda, where young children, many of them HIV positive, attending community schools have been telling their story using photography, helping them develop their individuality.

Mr Claxton has visited annually continuing to encourage and teach youngsters how to use a camera.

Rotarian John Hemming, presenting the trophy, said: 'We have watched Julian develop over the past five years and are delighted to present him with the award. This is a tremendous example of service above self, and Julian is a well-deserved winner.'