THEODORE NOEL AND PATRICK ZAROFFE
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This award is to reward those under the age of 17 who rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Young people often attract the wrong kind of attention and scrutiny but there are some amazing children in our community whose efforts and commitment would put most adults to shame.
Those nominated could have battled against serious illness, without letting it get in the way of their daily routine, or they may have been an inspiration to others by dedicating time and effort to helping people. Alternatively, they could be a leading light in their sport or hobby, gaining recognition for their efforts and putting Jersey on the map, or simply excelling at every level.
Children are our future, and this award will help us to celebrate them.
A remarkable young boy who has faced “more challenges in his young life than many people do in a lifetime” has been nominated for the Child of the Year award.
Seven-year-old Jace Bellot-Hepburn “continues to amaze everyone around him” with his bravery and resilience despite overcoming meningitis and being diagnosed with diabetes, his nominator, Kate Burke, said. “What makes him truly special is that he never lets his health define him,” Miss Burke explained.
“He is full of life, incredibly charismatic and has the most wonderful sense of humour. “He has an amazing ability to make those around him laugh, even during the most difficult times and his positivity is infectious.
“His courage, determination and cheerful spirit are an inspiration to everyone who knows him. At just seven years old, he demonstrates strength far beyond his years while continuing to embrace life with a smile.”
A ten-year-old girl has been recognised for her “exceptional” fundraising efforts and “extraordinary” kindness by being nominated for the Child of the Year Award. Isla Aubert has been commended by her nominator for organising fundraising initiatives and challenges with “enthusiasm and positivity”.
Earlier this year, Isla independently came up with the idea for an event called Dancing in the Light of Love, a day of dancing, yoga and other activities, which raised around £2,000 for Jersey Hospice Care, in honour of her late grandad. Her nominator said that Isla has turned her grief after losing her grandfather into something positive, by supporting a charity that is “close to her heart”.
“Her fundraising is about much more than raising money, it is about ensuring that patients and their families can continue to receive the specialist care, comfort and support that Jersey Hospice Care provides every day,” Isla’s nominator explained.
They went on to describe how she is deserving of this award due to the “genuine care” and “empathy” that she shows for others.
Her nominator added: “She has touched the hearts of many people and helped raise awareness of the hospice’s vital work. Isla is an outstanding young role model.”
Two boys have been nominated for Child of the Year by the chief executive of Jersey Cheshire Home for their “exceptional commitment over the past two years to raising awareness of disability and supporting their community”.
Jersey Cheshire Home was a special place for Thomas (10) and Daniel Lowry (7) as their great-uncle, Peter Riley, lived there for 12 to 13 years, according to their nominator, Donna Abel.
Despite their young ages, they organised a range of events at their school in St Lawrence to raise awareness and understanding of disabilities. Since then, Mrs Abel said they have organised two “Red Days” at their school, where pupils and staff come dressed in red and participate in challenges. This has raised over £1,000 for Jersey Cheshire Home.
“The boys also created an awareness video that shared powerful messages about kindness, acceptance and treating everyone with dignity and respect,” said Mrs Abel.
A young girl who “never fails to radiate kindness, compassion and selflessness” despite her own health challenges has been nominated for the Child of the Year award. Megan Norman (16) has been nominated by her mother, Deborah, who described her as a “powerful role model” to those around her, looking beyond her own adversity to help others.
Deborah said: “The most devastating hurdle arrived just as her GCSE exams were scheduled to start, requiring a consecutive week-long stay in the Hospital. Despite facing immense pressure and illness, Megan showed unbelievable mental fortitude.”
Her mother explained how Megan was driven by her “unshakeable desire to achieve” and entered the exam hall to sit her exams – successfully passing all papers – while managing her health with “profound maturity”.
She added: “Despite her gruelling medical schedule, she constantly prioritises her community by volunteering at a local school to support younger students. Her journey of extraordinary bravery, academic dedication and unwavering kindness in the face of adversity deserves to be celebrated. “She is deeply deserving of the Child of the Year award.”
A 14-year-old girl whose family were told she was quadriplegic as a baby has been nominated for Child of the Year in recognition of her determined attitude in the face of many challenges and hardships.
Soleil Keelan has been nominated by her mother, Kat, for reaching a major milestone as she “learnt to walk independently just a year-and-a-half ago and continues to progress with her physical strength”.
Soleil is now able to go swimming and continues her aquatherapy each week after school. With the help of Healing Waves, she is now capable of paddle boarding, which has been described as “exceptional progress”.
Her mother praised her for “her continual happiness and smiley personality”, as well as for all her physical accomplishments. Soleil’s “sunshine strength and resilience could be shown to other children” as a brilliant example of children doing extraordinary things despite life’s challenges, her mother added.
A resilient young boy who “adjusts to every challenge that comes his way” has been nominated for the Child of the Year award. Nine-year-old Jack East was nominated by his sister, Millie, who described him as an “extraordinary child” who has cared for his dad for most of his life “all with the biggest smile on his face”.
Miss East said: “He has dealt with the loss of his grandad, the decline of our dad’s health and various other struggles throughout his life and despite all that has happened, he is a beam of light in all our lives, enriching every part of life by just existing and smiling.
“Jack faces every hurdle and overcomes them all. Our dad struggles with mobility issues and fatigue and every day Jack brings him dinner, snacks, plenty of hugs and anything else my dad needs.
“I am so proud to call him my little brother because he makes me so proud every day for all he does to care for my dad, myself and everyone in his life.”
A young fundraiser has been nominated for the Child of the Year award for undertaking an intensive running challenge to raise money for breast cancer support. Emily Paton (15) set herself a target of running five consecutive ultra-marathons in just five days when she was just 14. She has been nominated by Peter Wright for her “magnificent efforts” fundraising for ABC Jersey.
Mr Wright said that Emily “didn’t make it easy for herself either”, completing the whole distance each day on the Island’s coastal paths. Last October, she raised over £6,000 for Breast Cancer Support Jersey.
Mr Wright said: “I had the pleasure of spending one of the days with Emily and was in absolute awe of her confidence, maturity, determination and compassion. “The fundraising in itself is incredible, but the challenge she put herself through to raise the funds was quite simply incredible.”
He explained that Emily was originally urged not to do the challenge and received negative feedback “raised with good intentions”, but she kept smiling and completed it anyway. “She braved a sleep-deprived and rather painful week and inspired so many,” Mr Wright added.
Eleven-year-old Ethan Freitas Camara has been nominated for Child of the Year because he has “a heart of gold and consistently goes out of his way to help others”. His nominator, Catia Freitas, praised Ethan for being chosen to be House Captain by his peers.
Every morning, Ethan waits for a younger student in Year 1 to arrive at school so he can walk him safely to his classroom. His nominator said: “He is always looking out for others and making sure everyone feels included and supported.”
Ms Freitas added that whenever Ethan saw a homeless person, he wanted to help by donating his pocket money, as he believes “helping others is far more important to him than spending money on himself”.
Ethan also helped raise funds for his football team – so they could attend a tournament outside of the Island – by completing a 10km run. “He has a natural ability to lift the spirits of those around him, encourage others and bring positivity to the situation,” Ms Freitas said.
A student Council at Rouge Bouillon School has been nominated for Child of the Year after creating and facilitating a school-wide helmet-safety programme.
The campaign began after council members noticed that only three of the scooters parked at the school had helmets. They conducted a survey, which found that the cost of living was preventing some families from paying the £30 to £40 retail price for a helmet.
The students approached a local business for financial support and worked with two others to source helmets at a discounted rate, selling more than 80 to fellow pupils for £5.
They also invited Headway Jersey to a school safety presentation, visited the Town Hall to share suggestions with St Helier Constable Inna Gardiner and Education Minister Catherine Curtis, and spoke to local media.
Alison Marshall, an ambassador for brain-injury charity Headway and a children’s helmet culture-change advocate, nominated the students, praising their “remarkable demonstration of young children wanting to spend their time finding ways to keep their fellow students and friends safe”.
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