Girl, 10, given national award for charity work
Family handoutA 10-year-old girl has received a national award in recognition of her "exceptional" charity work and positive community impact.
Heidi, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, will be honoured with The British Citizen Youth Award (BCYA) at the Palace of Westminster on 17 October.
She said: "I feel very proud and am super excited to go to London and see the Houses of Parliament for the first time."
In total, Heidi has raised more than £28,000 for different charities.
Family handoutMike Faulkner, Director of the BCyA, said: "The youth of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow."
Heidi has been raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Claire House Children's Hospice, over a period of three years by taking part in challenges that have spanned thousands of miles.
The young fundraiser wanted to help after her great-uncle was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2020.
The challenges began in 2021 when Heidi walked the 603-mile distance of Land's End to John O'Groats, raising £16,500 for Alzheimer's Research over 15 months.
She then took part in a virtual cycle from Paris to London in 2022, raising £7,000 for Alzheimer's Research and Macmillan.
Her third challenge saw her use Heidi Power - any means of Heidi moving herself without an engine - to travel the distance between the 12 stadia of the teams who formed the first football league in 1888, to raise money for Alzheimer's Research and Claire House.
Her efforts have attracted global attention, including a letter from the Princess of Wales congratulating on her charity success and an appearance on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV.
Her father, David, said: "She's the kindest, most thoughtful, determined and funny young person and every day with her is a joy.
"We are both so pleased to see all her hard work and determination rewarded with such a prestigious award."
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