Sometimes the most inspiring ideas start with a friend. For 13-year-old Lewis Smith from Netherfield, that friend was Isa.
Last summer, Isa Biçer became our very first Youth Patron. At just 14, he was already passionate about helping people experiencing homelessness. He’d taken part in our Big Sleep Out with his Scout group, then went one step further – organising his own Virtual Sleepout that raised an incredible £1,100. One of the friends who joined him that night was Lewis.
Something clicked for Lewis during that experience. He told us:
“I was inspired by Isa. Homelessness is such an important issue and taking on the role of Youth Patron just feels like the right thing to do. I want to fundraise as much as possible with my running. I also want to try to think of other fun ways to help encourage others to get involved and help fundraise and help support Framework in any way that they can.”
And when Lewis says “with my running,” he means it! Last year, he turned his love of running into action, completing the Robin Hood Mini Marathon and the Great North Junior Run, raising more than £480 for Framework.
Now he’s officially stepping into the role of Youth Patron – and we couldn’t be more proud to have him on the team.
Passing the Baton
When we told Isa that his friend was following in his footsteps, he couldn’t stop smiling:
“I’m really happy for Lewis because I know how passionate he is. I’m most proud of the sleep out I arranged because it inspired my friends including Lewis to support Framework.”
For us at Framework, seeing one young person’s actions spark another’s is exactly why the Youth Patron role matters. It’s proof that kindness is contagious – and that young people have a huge part to play in shaping their communities.
Our Community Fundraiser, Loren Shore, put it best:
“Isa was our very first Youth Patron, and he kicked off the role so incredibly. What he’s achieved over the past 12 months has been nothing short of inspiring – from live TV interviews to creating his own fundraising events and helping raise thousands for Framework. He’s been everything we could’ve hoped for and more.
But what’s even more special is that Isa’s journey is part of what led us to our new Youth Patron – Lewis. The two are good friends, and it was Isa who first inspired Lewis to start fundraising last year. Since then, Lewis has gone from strength to strength, and it speaks volumes about his incredible character. We’re so proud to have him officially join the Framework fundraising family. I’m so excited to see what the next 12 months hold for Lewis – and I can’t wait to be by his side supporting him all the way.”
A Year of Young Heroes
Lewis isn’t alone. From July 2024 to July 2025, the creativity and determination of young people across Nottinghamshire raised more than £10,500 for our Building Better Futures appeal.
At our Young Supporters Awards this year, we celebrated:
- Central Notts Scouts, who raised over £3,100 at their Big Sleep Out.
- Brookside Primary School, who raised £1,275.60 with a school-wide sleep-out.
- Good Shepherd Primary School, who held a ‘Big Snore’ sleep-in.
- Olivia Price, who ran 30 miles in November and raised £1,192.50.
- Sam Jones, who created a Reverse Advent Calendar that raised £426.
- And of course, the Biçer brothers – Isa, Emre and Rada – who raised £1,100 with their own sleepout.
That’s just a snapshot of the incredible young supporters making a difference every day.
Looking Ahead
Lewis has big plans for the year ahead – more miles, more fundraising, and more inspiring other young people to join the cause. We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.
Lewis’s story is a reminder of what happens when one young person takes action: it inspires others. And together, they help build a community where no one has to face homelessness alone.
👉 Want to support Lewis and other amazing young fundraisers? Learn more: Community Fundraising – Framework Housing Association