Inspirational teens join Leeds Rhinos star in hunt for Yorkshire's courageous children

The group were out in force yesterday as the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards went on the road to encourage the public to put forward courageous children for this year’s Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards, which take place in Leeds in October and are supported by Yorkshire Post Newspapers.

The group of 13-year-olds from The Leeds Grammar School, James Goldberg, Oliver Walton, Benji Ambler, Finlay Bruce and Adam Best, raised £11,000 two years ago in memory of James’ father Richard Goldberg, who died of cancer in 2013, by cycling 127 miles of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

This year they are taking on an even bigger challenge, cycling coast to coast 179 miles from Morecombe to Scarborough.

Oliver’s mother Sam Walton said: “What is so touching about this story is James’s determination and the support from his friends. James can’t go on a bike ride with his dad but he’s riding in his memory and following in his footsteps and his daddy is a role model even after his passing.” 

Young fundraiser is just one of the categories in the YCCA awards, which have been supported by Mr Jones-Buchanan for the last two years.

He said: “Being a Yorkshire man - and born on Yorkshire day, August 1st - it’s a huge honour to support the children of our county who not only display tremendous courage, often in times of great adversity, but who are also a shining light to those who surround them.

“As a professional sportsman I often find myself in the privileged situation of trying to inspire the youth of our next generation through some of the success and failures of my own journey.

“But, having been to the last two YCCA’s I find myself in a situation where the roles have been reversed and it is me who goes away inspired by the stories of our county’s little Heroes and heroines. I think it’s fantastic that we honour and recognise their remarkable achievements”.

The YCCA roadshow is visiting the officers of sponsors estate agents Manning Stainton. The roadshow visited the Oakwood office today and will be in Wetherby on Thursday, along with Calendar presenter Christine Talbot.

Mark Manning, managing director of Manning Stainton said: “We are proud and privileged to be involved with YCCA, working together for a fantastic cause, recognising the work of young people across the community.”

Stephen Mitchell, representative of the Leeds office of the St. James’s Place Foundation Committee, which organises the awards, said: “This is our third Nominations Roadshow for the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards and we are delighted that our Main Sponsors are getting involved and helping us to raise awareness for this year’s event.

“The kindness and generosity of Yorkshire people never ceases to amaze me and we are looking forward to Friday 14th October when we will be recognizing the incredible achievements of some of Yorkshire’s finest children.”

To nominate a child for an award, visit ww.yorkshirechildren.co.uk before August 11.