A 10-year-old boy from Page Moss, Merseyside, has been honoured at The British Citizen Youth Awards, now in its 10th year, after raising £8,850 for the North Liverpool Foodbank Network.
Ted Idris Reader was presented with the BCyA Medal of Honour at The Palace of Westminster on:- Thursday, 29 October 2026, joining other inspirational young people from across the UK who were being recognised for their extraordinary contributions to their communities and wider society.
Earlier this year, Ted Reader completed a 150-mile trek along the Wales Coast Path across 10 Saturdays, raising £2,350 - the latest in a series of fundraising challenges he has undertaken since he was 7.
Ted has volunteered at the foodbank network alongside his parents since the age of 4, witnessing 1st-hand the harsh reality of food insecurity. Driven by his determination to help others, Ted has turned his volunteering into a long-term commitment to fundraising for the network.
Ted's 1st challenge saw him walk 15-miles in a single day, connecting every foodbank outlet in the North Liverpool Network, and raising £1,800.
The following year, aged 8, Ted repeated the 15-mile distance, this time carrying an awareness flag and pulling a trolley around Liverpool City centre to collect donations, raising a further £4,700.
Ted said:- "It felt amazing to receive my BCyA Medal of Honour for the fundraising and volunteering I’ve done for the North Liverpool Foodbank Network. I’ve enjoyed completing my challenges and knowing that I’m helping the foodbank at the same time. It's important to me to keep raising awareness of the great work foodbanks do, because so many people still need their help."
The ceremony at The Palace of Westminster marked the 10th year of The British Citizen Youth Awards, celebrating a decade of recognising exceptional young people who have demonstrated kindness, selflessness and a commitment to making a difference.
Mike Faulkner, Director of the BCyA, said:- “It was a fantastic evening celebrating another incredible group of young people at this year’s British Citizen Youth Awards, particularly as we mark a decade of recognising outstanding achievements across the country. It was wonderful to bring everyone together for such a special occasion and see these inspiring young people receive the recognition they deserve. We are incredibly proud to shine a light on their achievements and the positive impact they continue to make.”
The award was presented to Edward by CBBC presenter Ben Shires, in front of his family, fellow award recipients and BCyA Patron Dame Mary Perkins.
Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers and BCyA Patron, said:- “Edward is a true community champion whose kindness, commitment and dedication have made a lasting difference to the lives of others. They embody the very best of citizenship and show how one person can make a real difference. At Specsavers, we are proud to support the communities we serve and celebrate people like Edward, whose contribution helps make communities stronger. This recognition is a fitting tribute to their outstanding service to others and the positive impact they continue to make.”