Child Friendly Leeds Awards: Meet the city's shining stars

Hundreds of nominations came in for champion children, child friendly places and people who go the extra mile as well as great organisations.

And on Thursday all the shortlisted nominees came together at Leeds City Varieties to hear the winners of the 2017 Child Friendly Leeds Awards announced.

They included Child of the Year (under 11) Ishaq Hashmi, who struggled to speak as a young child due to difficulties understanding dual languages.

After working with a speech therapist, he is now the first to offer his help to other children at after school classes, supplementary school and football academy.

Also honoured was Daniel Morton, Child of the Year (11-18 years), who has raised an impressive £5,000 for cancer charities since being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2014.

Coun Lisa Mulherin, executive member responsible for children and families said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners, those shortlisted and all the nominees - they are shining examples of what it really means to be child friendly.

“Becoming a child friendly city is not something we, as a council, can do alone.

“There are so many people across the city, who have really taken on board what we are trying to achieve and these awards are a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate their great work and achievements.”

Carol and Stephen Davis, volunteers who run family groups at Lofthouse Children’s Centre, were named winners in the Adults Inspiring Children and Young People category.

The others winners were Belle Isle Family Centre’s Health for All scheme, IntoUniversity, and Keepmoat and Construction Housing Yorkshire.

Organised by a group of 10 young people, the awards were sponsored by British Gas and Trinity Leeds and supported by Marks & Spencer and First Direct Arena.

The event also raised more than £500 for Martin House Children’s Hospice in Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

Who made it onto shortlist?

Child of the year (under 11): Isabella Allison-Corah; Jayden Marshall; Ishaq Hashmi; Keyan Rhodes-Daniels.

Child of the year (11-18): Chelsy Harris; Daniel Morton; Megan Smithson-Booth; UK Youth Parliament.

Adult Inspiring children and young people: Libby Tinworth - Health for All; Carol and Stephen Davis; Nola Ellen; Nathan Atkinson, Fuel for Schools.

Organisations supporting schools: IntoUniversity; Northern Ballet Theatre (START Project); Space 2 and Shantona Women’s Centre; Mini Mermaid Running Club UK.

Best overall contribution: Town Centre Securities (Charlotte-Daisy Ziff); Keepmoat, Sc4L and Construction Housing Yorkshire (CHY); Leeds Independent Visitors Scheme; Student Leeds Safeguarding Children Board; The White Rose Centre Management Team; Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre (Rosie Anderson and Wendy Denman); Victoria Quarter (James Bailey); Leeds United Football Club (Foundation & Conferencing and Event Team).

Best Place for children and young people: Angel of Youths; CATCH - Community Action to Change Harehills (ARK facility); Belle Isle Family Centre; The Rainbow Factory; The Tetley.