Teenager's fundraising efforts will see him made an honoured citizen

A TEENAGER who has raised more than £1,000 for a sensory room at his school is set to be made an honoured citizen of Leicester.

Sixteen-year-old Benjamin Shadbolt attends the City of Leicester College. He has autism spectrum disorder and dyspraxia, and at first found it very hard to be in school.

Rather than give up, Ben dedicated himself not only to his own achievements but also to supporting other students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

He started the school SEND Student Ambassadors Group, and led a whole-school assembly on SEND awareness. Ben also started a friendship group for vulnerable students.

Using his initiative, Ben secured a £1,000 Inspire Award grant from local charity the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, with support from Bradgate Rotary Club. He used the funds to help kit out a new sensory room at the City of Leicester College.

The new sensory room has just been officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Bhupen Dave. And Ben will meet the Lord Mayor again early in the new year when, in January, he is presented with an Honoured Citizen of Leicester award. The award aims to recognise Leicester residents who have made an outstanding contribution to the city.

The Lord Mayor said: "Ben is a remarkable young person. Despite having his own challenges, he has worked tirelessly to help others at his school. Thanks to him, other young people with SEND can benefit from a new sensory room; from a thriving friendship group and from a better understanding of SEND amongst their peers.

"It is an absolute pleasure to formally open the new sensory room at the City of Leicester College, and I very much look forward to meeting Ben again in the new year to bestow upon him the title of Honoured Citizen of Leicester."

Ben will be able to look back on 2024 with pride as, in April, he also won the Young Leader of the Year award at the prestigious Leicestershire Lieutenant's Young Person of the Year Awards.

Steve Humphries from the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, who nominated Ben for the honoured citizen award, said: "Ben's inspirational story is another outstanding example of a young person from Leicester who has not allowed himself to be disheartened or held back in any way, despite having obstacles of his own to overcome.

"Instead, he has dedicated himself to improving the lives of others, which has resulted in many other SEND young people at his school benefiting from ongoing support. It's a pleasure to be a part of Ben's journey and I am delighted that he will be made an honoured citizen of Leicester."

ENDS

Picture shows Lord Mayor Cllr Bhupen Dave and Ben Shadbolt in the new sensory room at the City of Leicester College.

- ends -

The JHMT - Inspire Awards - small grants to help young people, aged 13 to 21 years old, fulfil their potential

JHMT Inspire Awards small grants scheme - helping young people (13 – 21 yrs old) from from Leicestershire & Leicester fulfil their potential, develop their talents & make a difference across the community

The Inspire Awards are part of the Trust's long-term charitable aims to make a difference through Joe's legacy. The awards are designed to inspire young people to fulfil their potential and develop their talents.

To be eligible for an award you need to be:

• Preparing or training for a competition in a significant sporting activity, recognised by the Trust or
• Pursuing a project to benefit your local community, or
• An artist or musician looking to develop your talent.

To find out more go to: https://www.jhmt.org.uk/inspire

#smallgrants #makingadifference #youngpeople #sports #arts #music #community #entrepreneurism#Leicestershire #Leicester