Cheshire schoolgirl honoured with a British Citizen Youth Award for tireless fundraising

  • Video report by Granada Reports' journalist Anna Youssef

A nine-year-old has been honoured for her tireless fundraising despite suffering from a chronic health condition which causes her severe pain and fatigue.

Poppy-mae Jones was born with a congenital bowel disease which has contributed to other physical and mental health issues.

But despite her condition the school girl from Ellesmere Port started fundraising aged just five, walking several miles.

She says her proudest achievement however, is climbing stairs equivalent to the height of Snowdon, just three months after her large colon was removed - raising £5,000. 

Poppy-mae has now been honoured in a ceremony at Westminster Palace with a British Citizen Youth Award, which celebrates those who have made a difference to their communities.

Poppy-mae Jones received her award at a star studded ceremony at Westminster Palace in London Credit: ITV Granada Reports

Poppy-mae said receiving the award had been a confidence boost but she was still focused on her fundraising.

She said: "I want to keep fundraising because I want to show how grateful I am to the hospitals that helped me and I want to help other children."

Proud mum Sharon Jones added: "She faces a lot of daily challenges. She is in pain constantly. Her mobility is also an issue.

"Even walking to school is quite debilitating for her so she does have a wheelchair that we do use on occasions.

"When she does her fundraising challenges we have to think about the physical impact on her and she'll probably have to have complete rest the next day and the day after that."

Poppy-mae Jones and her mum Sharon Credit: ITV Granada Reports

In spite of her condition, Poppy-mae continues to encourage and inspire others and is constantly raising money and awareness. 

Through donations and fundraising, she has filled an ambulance and two cars full of toys for Christmas for both Countess of Chester and Alder Hey Hospitals. 

She has had a number of operations and has mobility issues which cause her constant pain requiring daily medication.

Poppy does not let any of this deter her, as she has raised over £16,000 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Countess of Chester and has donated toys, sweets and gifts for both hospitals.

She has a social media page that has a wide range of followers from across the globe.

She shows that regardless of hurdles, anything can be achieved and puts others before her own needs. 

The British Citizen Youth Award, now in its eighth year, honours 25 young people from across the UK that have made a difference in their communities and society as a whole.

These selfless young people have shown kindness and a commitment to a multitude of causes, raising funds and awareness, all dedicated to making a difference.

Each inspirational young person was presented at The Palace of Westminster with the BCyA Medal of Honour and given the opportunity to use the post-nominals ‘BCyA’ as a legacy of their achievements and service.