大象传媒

Joe & Toby were in a band with their friend Arran, and they busked together outside their local shop. Arran was diagnosed with a brain tumour; he was taken to a specialist hospital to be operated on, but sadly he passed away.

Joe and Toby now go busking in Arran’s memory, donating all money raised to Cancer Research UK and . They even played their guitars at Arran’s funeral, feeling that this was the perfect way to remember their best friend.

In June 2015 Joe and Toby played at an event called The Big Busk to raise money for their chosen charities. They inspire their community to get involved and raise funds and awareness by bringing along friends to their local CRUK shop, to volunteer between their exams. They have raised thousands and thousands of pounds for both charities.

Through volunteering and helping in the shop they feel not only that they are helping to beat cancer, but also their connection to Arran, their friend.

Leia

Having lost her dad in a motorcycle crash at the age of 3, Leia has been involved in a huge amount of community and charity work since she was 7 years old.

Leia has raised more than £3,000 as part of her primary school's Charity Superstars group, and runs various charitable events. In her spare time Leia is a fundraiser for and , and runs dance and cookery classes at nearby primary schools.

During the devastating floods in December 2015, when Leia’s school was closed, she filled her time by helping in the local community. She spent a number of days volunteering in the office of her local crisis centre, and co-lead the preparation of a mammoth Christmas grotto for school pupils, local children’s homes, homeless family hostels and the Salvation Army.

Leia subsequently won a Spirit of Cumbria Award for her work in helping people have the best Christmas possible during the floods, and received a personal commendation from the Archbishop of York for her selfless work and thoughtfulness towards others.

Jeremie

As a toddler, Jeremie was removed from his mother's care and has lived with his father ever since.

Following a motorcycle accident, Jeremie's father has limited mobility and requires daily care. Jeremie, in addition to his year 10 studies and numerous hours spent volunteering, looks after him.

In December 2015 Jeremie and his father began working with Barnardo's Family Intervention Project, and Jeremie has volunteered a great deal of his time ever since. He's helped organise activities for children in service, interviewed prospective keyworkers and given his views in audits - bravely sharing his story with other children.

In spite of the many obstacles he has had to overcome, Jeremie inspires everyone he meets with his infectious positivity.