Young Harry Crowther has “towered” over his rivals to win a new award.
The Mirfield youngster – battling a rare disease – has today been named as first winner of the Arqiva Emley Moor Community awards, known as The Emleys.
The awards were instigated by Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell to commemorate people who make a real difference to the community in his Dewsbury constituency.
And Harry will, fittingly, have his head in the clouds when he receives the award.
The presentation ceremony will be more than 1,000 feet in the air – at the top of the Arqiva TV mast at Emley.
Harry, 14, suffers from a rare form of Progeria, a genetic disorder which means that he is ageing five times faster than his contemporaries.
This condition means that Harry experiences many of the arthritic, cardiovascular and respiratory ailments more common to old age.
Nevertheless, he is renowned for his cheerful, positive outlook and his determination to live life as fully as possible.
He actively fundraises for the charities, Progeria UK, Progeria Family Circle and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
He has received the Elizabeth Peacock Award for outstanding achievement in scouting, an honour usually reserved for adults, and the Chief Scout Award for meritorious conduct.
Last year, he ran a leg of the West Yorkshire Olympic torch relay and has shown great courage in raising awareness of his condition by visiting schools, care homes and local shows with his torch to talk about the challenges he has faced and the privilege of representing his local community. In doing so, he met more than 5,000 people.
Mr Reevell said “We received a large number of nominations, all of a very high standard, which made the judging panel’s decision incredibly tough to make.
“However, we were all so impressed by Harry’s uncomplaining attitude, courage in meeting the challenges he has faced and remarkable achievements, that we unanimously concluded that he was a very worthy winner”
The judging panel also chose three highly commended candidates.
Peter Jagger was nominated for his dedication to the life of Upper Hopton, particularly its cricket club; Anne Thornton for her contribution to a variety of groups, including local scouting, the Disabled People’s Electronic Village Hall and the Dewsbury West Community Centre and Pat Ainsworth, of Emley, for her marathon-running and fundraising achievements.
Mr Reevell said: “It is really inspiring to know that there are so many people who are quietly and generously putting so much time and energy into their communities.”
