Kelvedon's Riley Akers wins outstanding bravery award

Riley Akers, from Kelvedon, is an ambassador for Tom’s Trust, a charity which provides mental health support to children with brain tumours and their families to help improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

The 12-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2018, when he was just seven.

Riley and his family has been supported by a Tom’s Trust psychologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge since he was diagnosed, and while he undergoes treatment for the tumour.

Despite going through such a difficult time in his young life, Riley continues to support the work of the charity and has since become an ambassador.

Riley has now won the outstanding bravery award at the Inspirational YoungStars Awards, after Tom’s Trust put him forward.

Riley took his mum and grandparents to the ceremony, which was in the Signature Suite at Cambridge United Football Club.

Speaking about the special evening, Riley said: “They were all very kind, nice, generous people.

“I was nervous going on to the stage but felt thankful and overwhelmed to receive my award.”

Riley’s mum Gill added: “What an amazing and wonderful experience. We’re so thankful to everyone involved for Riley's award.

“We were truly humbled by all the children and loved joining them to celebrate their achievements.”

As a young ambassador to the charity, Riley also recently became the star of a new video launched by Tom’s Trust.

Riley’s voice narrates the video which explains how psychologists provided by the charity help to support children and their families through their diagnosis and beyond.

It helped to raise £10,000 for Tom’s Trust during its Christmas campaign.

He also recently starred in another video for the charity which helped raise almost £40,000 for its first-ever race day.

Co-founder of Tom’s Trust Debs Mitchell said: “We are so thrilled that Riley won this award. He’s an incredible boy and thoroughly deserves it. Well done, Riley.”