Award scooped by Chrissy

A BARNSLEY-BASED social entrepreneur has received the Global Presence 2022 Humanitarian Award.

Chrissy Sykes received the award for her ‘pioneering work’ in the area of child safety.

Sykes was chosen for her creation of the My Body is My Body programme, which uses animation and songs to teach children how to protect themselves from molestation and abuse.

Since its introduction back in 1989, the scheme has been translated into more than 25 languages and has been taught in more than 60 countries.

To date, nearly two million children have benefited from the programme.

A spokesperson said: “Chrissy Sykes was a young singer achieving her dream, flying from her native Zambia to the US to produce a record with a famed country-western producer.

“During her layover in London, however, she heard the brutal news of the murder of a four-year-old girl named Kimberley at the hand of her father.

“A mother herself to a four-year-old girl, Chrissy was so emotional that she spent the next leg of her flight to the US writing a song in Kimberley’s honour.

“Fast forward to 2022 and Chrissy Sykes is the founder of the educational non-profit My Body Is My Body Foundation.

“MBIMB uses songs and animation to teach children of all ages how to protect themselves from abuse and the importance of reporting transgressions.

“To date, the free programme has been translated into 26 languages and taught in over 60 countries empowering up to two million children.”