2016 Child-Friendly Leeds Awards celebrates city's champions

Streetdancing champion Junior Frood, 11, has overcome bullying to be ranked third in the world, and has secured a scholarship at the prestigious Pineapple Dance Studios in London.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jan 2016, 07:32 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2016, 07:34 BST
Childrens Champion 11 to 18 category winner Junior Frood. PIC: Jonathan GawthorpeChildrens Champion 11 to 18 category winner Junior Frood. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Childrens Champion 11 to 18 category winner Junior Frood. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

And last night he had one more thing to celebrate after winning the Children’s Champion award at the annual Child-Friendly Leeds Awards.

The Awards, held at Leeds City Varieties, were organised by young people to celebrate some of the people, places and organisations that help to make Leeds a child-friendly city.

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Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain presented awards, joined by Welcome to Yorkshire chief Sir Gary Verity, Claire Young from The Apprentice and Leeds Rhinos hero Jamie Buchanan.

Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.
Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

Hundreds of nominations from the public came in for the awards, and judges had difficulty in selecting winners from a very competitive shortlist.

Organisers said of Junior: “Through his dancing Junior has been able to overcome many obstacles in his life, as it is a way of him expressing his feelings.

“He is a fantastic young man who has brought joy to thousands with his amazing talent.”

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Also honoured was Harry Phillips, 11, who won the Under- 11 Children’s Champion Award after battling leukaemia and raising £45,000 for children’s cancer charity Candlelighters.

Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.
Nadiya Hussain from the Great British Bake Off, at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

One nomination said: “Overall Harry is a fantastic person who should win this award as he is an amazing young man, whose efforts need to be recognised.”

Leeds Play Network won the Overall Contribution Award. It was recognised for its support and guidance to anyone working within the field of play since its establishment in 1994.

And Roundhay Park and Tropical World won the award for Best Place for Children.

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