The Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 celebrated Leigh-Taylor Arundale’s win as ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ and recognized Leeds Rhinos and their foundation for their community work, among other notable awardees, in a movie-themed gala filled with young talent and dedication. This red carpet affair at the City Varieties Music Hall highlighted the city’s commitment to nurturing its youth and showcased the exceptional individuals and organizations contributing to a child-friendly environment in Leeds.
What was the highlight of the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024?
The Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 highlighted Leigh-Taylor Arundale’s win as ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ and celebrated individuals and organizations contributing to a nurturing environment for Leeds’ youth. Leeds Rhinos and their foundation were recognized for their community work, among other notable awardees.
A Red Carpet Affair
The City Varieties Music Hall sparkled with the enthusiasm of young achievers and their supporters during the ninth annual Child Friendly Leeds Awards. The movie-themed gala, complete with a red carpet, celebrated not only the remarkable young individuals of Leeds but also the people and organizations striving to create a nurturing environment for the city’s youth. Amongst the distinguished attendees was Leigh-Taylor Arundale, a 14-year-old whose tireless support for numerous charitable causes won her the ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ award. Her mother, Lisa Arundale, expressed her joy, saying, “I’m ecstatic for her. It’s nice for her to be recognised.”
Leigh-Taylor Arundale’s work has been far-reaching, from selling handcrafted poppies for the Royal British Legion to organising teddy bear raffles for defibrillator equipment. Her voice resonated through the community with a rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again,’ bringing comfort during the pandemic. Leigh-Taylor’s commitment to making a difference was echoed in her own words: “The award ceremony was amazing but this award is for everyone nominated as we all want to make a change and I do believe we can.”
In a new twist to the awards, each category included a ‘highly commended’ nominee. For the same category as Leigh-Taylor, this title was given to Lyla Bell, a tenacious 10-year-old who, despite her struggle with a debilitating health condition, shows a remarkable determination to live life to the fullest.
Exceptional Individuals and Organizations
The awards were not only about celebrating the young but also about acknowledging the contributions of various organizations and individuals. The Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation were recognized for their ‘Overall Contribution to Making Leeds a Child Friendly City’. Bob Bowman, CEO of the Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the group’s exemplary community work and their generosity in providing free tickets to children. The Youth group of the year went to CATCH Leeds, a charity that allows young people to lead and develop activities.
Not to be overlooked, the Adult making a difference for children and young people was awarded to WEST SILC Powerhouse and Rob Lakewood for their immersive college program for young people with additional learning needs. In the arts, Tutti Frutti Productions stood out for their captivating theatre performances for young audiences, while SNAPS was hailed for their exceptional contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes, supporting children with additional needs.
A Showcase of Talent and Dedication
The ceremony was not solely about accolades; it was also a display of the city’s young talent. Performances by the likes of Mary Collins, The Casuals, Josh Stanchev, and DAZL Explosion added vibrancy to the evening. Organized by a group of young people known as The Midnight Snack Club, the event showcased their exceptional planning skills, from the cinematographic theme right down to the evening’s script and decorations.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families, lauded the winners and nominees, stating, “Becoming a child friendly city is not something we, as a council, can do alone and these awards are a great opportunity for us to recognize, celebrate and be inspired by the great work going on to help make Leeds the best city to grow up in.”
The support from prominent sponsors such as aql, First Direct Arena, and the University of Leeds, to name a few, underlined the communal spirit and dedication to championing a child-friendly city. As the night concluded, the achievements and aspirations of Leeds’ youth were brightly illuminated, setting a hopeful and determined tone for the future.
For media inquiries, Leeds City Council communications and marketing can be contacted via email at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by phone at 0113 378 6007.
- The highlight of the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 was Leigh-Taylor Arundale’s win as ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ and recognition of Leeds Rhinos and their foundation for their community work.
- The City Varieties Music Hall sparkled with young achievers and their supporters during the movie-themed gala celebrating exceptional individuals and organizations contributing to a nurturing environment for Leeds’ youth.
- The awards acknowledged organizations like the Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation for their community work, and individuals like Lyla Bell for their determination despite health challenges.
- Performances by talented individuals like Mary Collins and organizations like Tutti Frutti Productions added vibrancy to the evening, showcasing the city’s young talent.
- Councillor Helen Hayden praised the winners and nominees, emphasizing the collective effort required to make Leeds the best city to grow up in.