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Last Friday we were inspired by the enthusiasm and achievement of Framework’s youngest supporters.
The occasion was the first-ever Young Supporters Awards organised by Framework to celebrate the achievement of our youngest fundraisers – groups and individuals aged between four and 15 who have organised or taken part in fundraising events or organised activity to raise awareness of homelessness.
The combined value of their efforts is estimated to be more than £20,000!
The event, organised in partnership with the Djanogly Learning Trust, took place at the Djanogly City Academy’s theatre on Sherwood Rise in Nottingham.
The evening was introduced by Liz Anderson CEO of the Djanogly Learning Trust, and I was delighted to present the awards alongside Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood.
As well as the award winners, their families, friends and teachers there was an appearance by 26-year old Saeed Atcha MBE who is CEO of Youth Leads UK and a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. In his inspirational speech, Saeed said: “I believe in the power of youth. Young people are 22% of our population and 100% of our future. It’s time we viewed them this way”.
We rely hugely on the generosity of our friends in the community to help us to continue offering Framework’s life-changing services, whether that’s through financial donations and fundraising activity, corporate sponsorship and pro-bono work, donations of gifts in kind or simply by spreading the word about our work.
We were therefore delighted to celebrate the achievements and commitment of some remarkable young people on this special occasion. The inspiring young people receiving awards have all gone above and beyond to make a difference to the lives of the people Framework supports.
On behalf of everyone at Framework I’d like to say a huge thank you and congratulations to them all. We are very proud of their achievements and hope that their awards will inspire them to continue making a difference in their local communities for years to come. They are our future changemakers and we know they will all go on to do great things.
I’d also like to thank their friends and family, as well as leaders and teachers, for enabling them to do all they have done. We like to think of ourselves as a family here at Framework and all are now part of that Framework family.
The award recipients were:
Djanogly Citizens
A group of compassionate Year 10 students (ages 14 and 15) at Nottingham’s Djanogly City Academy who have been raising funds and awareness, hosting a bake sale in school and organising a charity football match with staff.
3rd Woodthorpe and 3rd Netherfield Scout Groups
Scouts (aged 10-14) from Woodthorpe and Netherfield took part in Framework’s Big Sleep Out in 2021, raising funds and helping to educate the public about the challenges faced by rough sleepers. In addition scouts across all sections at both groups collected a mountain of toiletries and food for one of Framework’s supported housing services at Christmas 2021.
Brookside Primary School, East Leake
Children (aged 4-11) and staff from across the school have supported Framework regularly and extensively over the past four years through a variety of fundraising initiatives and collections of food, toiletries and Christmas gifts which were donated to people living in Framework’s supported housing services in Nottingham.
Beeston Rylands Junior School
Children (aged 7-11) and staff from across the school have supported Framework regularly and extensively over the past three years through various fundraising initiatives and collections of food and toiletries donated to people living in Framework’s supported housing services in Nottingham.
Max and Kenny Zeman Lee
Max (aged 11) and Kenny (aged 13) from Nottingham have taken part in Framework’s Big Sleep Out fundraising event for many years, raising a huge amount of money and also awareness of the challenges faced by rough sleepers. When attending the Big Sleep Out they also help their dad Steve who generously provides the sound and lighting free of charge every year from his company Synthetic Pro Audio.
Amber and Jasmine Millar
For the last two years, sisters Amber (aged 12) and Jasmine (aged 10) from East Leake have asked for some of their Christmas present money to be donated to Framework. Their selflessness and sacrifices have made a huge difference to the lives of local homeless and vulnerable people.
Jasper Longley and Izzy Aylward
Last Christmas friends Jasper (aged 8) and Izzy (aged 11) from Kingston-on-Soar designed their own Christmas cards, which they had printed and sold to friends and family to raise money for Framework. They donated every penny they raised from the sales.
Fyfe Benner
During July 2020, at the age of just 7, Fyfe ran 100km to raise funds for Framework. As a result, Fyfe from Mapperley was shortlisted for the Dylan Barker Young Person of the Year Award by Gedling Borough Council in November 2021 and went on to win the Special Judges’ Award.
