The British Citizen Youth Award, now in its ninth year, has honoured 21 young people from across
the UK that have made a difference in their communities and to society. These selfless young people have shown commitment to a multitude of causes, raising funds and awareness, and are all
dedicated to making a difference.
Each inspirational young person received The British Citizen Youth Award Medal of Honour, presented at The Palace of Westminster where the official presentation ceremony was held. Each young medallist is invited to use the post-nominals BCyA as a legacy of their achievements and commitment to others.
Hosting the event was singer and actress, Kimberly Wyatt, who is also a patron of The British Citizen
Youth Award. She 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.”
Franky Mann, eight, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, was presented with the BCyA Medal of Honour by
Alison Bond, BCyA Schools Programme Lead.
Despite his young age, Franky has an uncanny knack of knowing what the elderly in the community need and has been instrumental in forming a Young Carer’s Club to equip young people with the skills they need to deliver it.
Aged just eight years old, home-educated Franky puts an immense amount of effort into improving
the lives of the elderly population in Lincolnshire. His mum works helping elderly people, and here
Franky has witnessed, first-hand, their needs and the loneliness they can feel. He therefore strives to
make them happy by simply being his confident, kind, empathetic self.
Despite his age, he has an innate ability to read people’s emotions and know when they might need a laugh or a hug. He manages to encourage participation from those with dementia despite normal adult staff members being unable to.
Franky helped set up the Farrow’s Friends ‘Young Carers Club’. Using his knowledge of what elderly
people like and what young carers need, he contributed ideas and worked with adults and peers to set up a vital support hub for other young carers. This has had a positive impact on young carers in the local area as it offers a free, safe and useful place where young carers can share their
experiences, get support and socialise.
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.”
Usually only open to individuals, this is the third year, The BCyA, alongside partners Specsavers, have honoured a group with The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Youth Award. The group, WCHG Youth Ability Group from Manchester have collectively positively impacted their community.
Each Medal of Honour bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’ and is presented to only a
small number of exceptional young individuals annually. The British Citizen Youth Award is widely
viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavour and are truly representative of today’s multicultural Britain.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 medal presentations, register online at
www.britishcitizenyouthawards.co.uk.
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