April 18, 2016 1.38 pm This story is over 95 months old

Prestigious award given to fundraising Lincoln 10-year-old and family of cancer hero Sophie

A 10-year-old girl from Lincoln has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to a host of deserving local causes in the community. Grace Mathews was announced as the winner of the city’s Silver Arrow Award for her efforts to raise money for the benefit of others. Since 2013, Grace has raised over £6,000 for various…
Grace Mathews, 10 has raised thousands for local charities.

A 10-year-old girl from Lincoln has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to a host of deserving local causes in the community.

Grace Mathews was announced as the winner of the city’s Silver Arrow Award for her efforts to raise money for the benefit of others.

Since 2013, Grace has raised over £6,000 for various local charities through the annual Swimathon and other events. The main charities that have benefited include:

  • Lincoln and Nottingham Air Ambulance
  • Guide Dogs for the Blind
  • Bowel Cancer UK
  • Lincoln Asthma Swimming Group and Lincolnshire Headway
  • Umbrellas
  • When you Wish Upon a Star

The award, established in 2009 to celebrate the 600th year of the Sheriff in Lincoln, celebrated Grace’s good team building skills, maturity, generosity and determination.

The Silver Arrow Award ceremony took place at Lincoln Guildhall on the evening of April 14, and the awards were presented by the Mayor of Lincoln, Andrew Kerry.

Sophie

Sophie Robinson sadly passed away after a battle with cancer.

The ceremony also honoured cancer awareness fundraiser Sophie Robinson, who sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 12.

Sophie documented her illness on social media and raising money at the same time. Sophie received a Special Award that was accepted on her behalf by her mother, Stacy and father, Ben.

Sophie's parents collected her award.

Sophie’s parents collected her award.

Recognition also went to the runners-up Sophie Fleming and Eleni Taylor (both aged 18), who were recognised for organising Our Big Gig in the Arboretum, a popular annual gig which has been running since 2013.

Kiera Husband (aged 11), was another runner up, and was recognised for being a young carer to her mum.

Silver-arrow-awards-presentation

Mayor of Lincoln, Andrew Kerry, said: “I would personally like to say well done to Kiera, Eleni and Sophie on their achievements. They were definitely worthy runners-up.

“Grace should be congratulated for her determination to raise a staggering amount of money to support these fantastic local charities, and her receiving the 2016 Silver Arrow Award is thoroughly well-deserved.

“I also did not want this year’s award to go by without acknowledging Sophie Robinson, who was an inspirational, brave, courageous and generous child. It was a great honour to award our one-off special award to her family.

“We’ve had a fantastic calibre of nominees this year. Their achievements really do demonstrate that we have a lot of inspiring young people in Lincoln.”