Youth In Focus: Blue Peter to Kings Birthday List

Congratulations to Junior Frood (image: PA)

Birkenhead Blue Peter Badge winner gets a British Empire Medal

Todays Youth In Focus story is reported in numerous newspapers, including The Liverpool Echo, The Wirral Globe and The Guardian. You may have seen or heard of this young person lately due to his recent performance on Britain’s Got Talent with dance group Unity, or you may remember him receiving a Gold Blue Peter Badge for campaigning against bullying.

Aged only 18, Junior Frood is now famous for being the youngest recipient of a medal in the Kings Birthday Honours. Junior, who we are proud to say is from Birkenhead, received a BEM (British Empire Medal) for his work in campaigning against bullying after being bullied himself when he was younger because he was a dancer.

Caroline Davies reported in The Guardian that Junior said “My passion was dancing, so I kept going. But when I got older I wanted to help people who felt like me, who were male dancers and who were getting bullied.”

Junior created a social media campaign #boyscandance, and began raising money for charities. Frood has supported musical artists such as Justin Bieber and Little Mix, and has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and on the West End stage. Junior has raised over £300,000 for charities and continues to support young people to follow their dreams despite being bullied for them.

We are VERY impressed by all your hard work, campaigning and dancing skills, congratulations to Junior - what a positive inspiration to all Wirral young people you are. Thank-you from everyone here at Zillo.