Oldham youngster honoured with the British Citizen Youth award at the Palace of Westminster

Oldham nine-year-old Joseph Thompson has been presented with the Certificate of Honour at the Palace of Westminster, duly completing the recognition he has so deserved.

The British Citizen Youth Award, in association with Specsavers, is now in its fifth year and recognises exceptional under 18s who have positively impacted their communities through the country.

A total of 25 extraordinary young people from across the UK have been recognised with The British Citizen Youth Award, on the 2020 Roll of Honour.

Warm-hearted Joseph decided to make a difference during the national lockdown and help a charity within his community.

The local foodbank was under extreme pressure during lockdown and Joseph decided to make a difference by shaving off his full head of hair.

On May 15 last year, Joseph raised £550 shaving his hair off and donated the funds directly to his local foodbank.

As the people in his community were dealing with lockdown and the effects of Covid-19, Joseph and his sister made paper rainbows and Joseph delivered these to elderly residents in the area.

Joseph is a kind young man and at only nine years old has realised the impact he can make on others.

Joseph is determined to continue raising money for the local foodbank and homeless people within his area and is determined to make a difference.

Dame Mary Perkins 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.

"These awards are 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.”

Each Medal of Honour bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’ and are 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 2022 medal presentations, register online at: www.britishcitizenyouthawards.co.uk

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