A SIX-year-old Warrington girl who raised more than £8,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital was one of 24 young people who received the British Citizen Youth Award at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminister.
Ivy Scott, from Woolston, received her BCyA medal of honour from Nicky Cox, editor-in-chief of First News at the event, hosted by singer and actress Kimberly Wyatt who is also a Patron of The British Citizen Youth Award who said “Many of these kids have faced turmoil in their own lives yet still choose to be selfless and help others. I applaud you and your families for your hard work and dedication. You are the future, and your brilliant endeavours will make a difference!”
Ivy’s fundraising has positively impacted nearly 300 families of children staying in hospital, making a real difference during often frightening and uncertain times.
Ivy herself was born with a rare heart condition so she knows all about being in hospital, having had three open-heart operations in Alder Hey.
Despite everyday activities being exhausting and challenging for her she took part in 3km Safari walks twice, raising over £8,000 for the hospital from various fundraising activity.
In her first year of fundraising she made more than 90 gift bags containing presents for children of all ages in hospital at Christmas.
This was followed by collecting teddy bears to donate to the wards during the Christmas period and during Covid, Ivy raised money through her fundraising platform to ensure the hospital could still support families during Christmas.
Over the last five years, Ivy has also raised money for ”Tiny Tickers” and “Little Hearts Matter” – two very special charities for children with heart defects.
Dame Mary Perkins, patron of the BCA said: “The British Citizen Youth Award recipients are very special individuals. These young people all go above and beyond for others with selfless acts of kindness and community spirit with no thought or expectation of praise or reward.
“This medal ceremony is a great opportunity to shine a light on what they do and give them the recognition they so thoroughly deserve. They are the nation’s true unsung heroes and the rising stars of the future.”
The British Citizen Youth Award, in association with SpecSavers, is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavour.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 medal presentations, register online at www.britishcitizenyouthawards.co.uk.
