Grace is just champion!
10-year-old wins peer contest to elect representative on children’s issues
CHILDREN across Rochdale have been choosing their champion - and the winner is Grace Butterworth.
The 10-year-old, from Whittaker Moss Primary School in Norden, was chosen from a recordbreaking 99 candidates to be crowned Children’s Champion for 2021/21.
Grace secured 1,752 votes from a total of 7,651 cast.
The new champion stood on three manifesto points - using therapy pets and working with the RSPCA to support children; working with health experts like the Red Cross to teach children and young people first aid from a young age; and more nature camps for outdoor learning.
Speaking about her win, Grace said: “I can’t believe it but I will work really hard.
“Thank you to everyone who voted. I’m really looking forward to working in this role with all the other children’s council representatives.”
Children’s champions, along with the wider children’s council, work with decision makers to make changes that will improve the lives of young people across the borough and give local young people a chance to fulfil their ambitious ideas.
All primary schools across the borough took part, with the current children’s council working hard to whittle the entries down to the top 37 before assessment sessions were held to select eight finalists.
The election results were declared at a covid-secure event at Moss Street Youth Centre, with the awards given out by the Mayor of Rochdale Coun Aasim Rashid.
Hashim Hussain, 10, from Belfield Primary School, was elected deputy children’s champion.
He spoke passionately about his manifesto points and how he’s taken inspiration from Captain Sir Tom Moore and Marcus Rashford by raising over £7,000 for local food charities.
Working alongside Grace, he wants to work on making sure we listen to everyone to make Rochdale a better place.
Caring for his poorly sister is inspiring him to make sure children with ongoing needs have a good healthcare plan and all services are linked up and working together.
And finally, he wants to make sure that every child has a computer at home so that we give every child the chance to succeed.
Just pipped to the post were the six other finalists: Amelia Hanif-ahmed, 10, from Shawclough Primary; Annie Lazzarova, 10, from Castleton Primary; Eliza Ogden, 10, from St Mary’s RC Primary in Littleborough; Esme Shepherd, 10, from Marland Hill Primary; Harris Khaliq, 10, from Broadfield Primary, and Lacey Mapuranga, 10, from Hollin Primary School.
All candidates, and the other 91 who entered, are all invited to be part of the wider children’s council to help Grace and Hashim with their plans.
Coun Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “All the candidates were so inspiring.
“Their passion and care came across loud and clear.
“I’m really looking forward to not only seeing them all work together in the youth council but to working with Grace and Hashim so that we can help them bring their manifesto points in action.
“These young people are our future doctors, teachers, decision makers and it’s so clear that our future is in good hands.”
The outgoing children’ champion, 12-year-old Erin Buckley, was from St Mary’s RC Primary School in Litteborough when elected and held the role for two years due to the pandemic.
In a really challenging year she still achieved a lot of her manifesto points.
For more information on the work of the youth service please visit: rochdale. gov.uk/youthservice