Preston Teenager Lucie Grove Crowned Lancashire's Young Citizen of the Year 2026
In a heartwarming celebration of youth achievement, 15-year-old Lucie Grove from Preston has been officially named Lancashire's Young Citizen of the Year for 2026. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contributions to the community, placing her at the top of a list of over 40 inspiring young nominees who have made significant positive impacts across the county over the past year.
Award Ceremony at Lancashire Police Headquarters
The award was presented during a special ceremony held at Lancashire Police Headquarters in Hutton on February 12. Lucie received her prize from a distinguished panel including Lancashire Police Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett, High Sheriff of Lancashire James Carter DL, and Russell Millhouse from the University of Lancashire. The event highlighted the remarkable dedication of young volunteers throughout the region.
Lucie's Pivotal Role in Intergenerational Social Action
Lucie earned this honor through her instrumental involvement in the Youth Ambassadors Intergenerational Social Action Programme. This innovative initiative is a collaborative partnership between Places for People, Mill Bank, and Foxton Youth & Community. The program successfully brought together ten young women for the first time with the primary goal of bridging generational divides and creating meaningful social impact.
As a strong ambassador for young people, particularly young women, Lucie inspired confidence, resilience, and teamwork among her peers. Her influence extended across seven schools in Preston, where staff reported noticeable positive changes among students, demonstrating the far-reaching effects of her leadership and commitment.
Runners-Up Recognized for Their Exceptional Contributions
In second place was 18-year-old Millie Rooney from Burnley. Millie has become a national youth advocate for children who have a parent in prison, a group often overlooked despite thousands of Lancashire children being affected. Drawing from her own lived experience, she traveled to London last November to speak at the Parental Imprisonment Lived Experience Conference, which marked the first National Children with a Parent in Prison Day. Addressing over 100 policymakers, ministers, MPs, professionals, and academics, Millie shared a powerful account of overcoming adversity and advocating for systemic change.
Third place was awarded to 16-year-old Leon Molloy from Preston. Leon has made a significant and lasting contribution to his local community through his active involvement in Targeted Youth Support (TYS). He played a key role in planning and delivering a Disability Pride event, managing logistics and confidently taking on public-facing responsibilities. Additionally, Leon completed a 21-mile sponsored walk for Young Minds, raising both funds and awareness for young people's mental health. His participation in residential programs at Borwick Hall further showcased his resilience as he overcame personal fears and pushed beyond his comfort zone.
Official Praise for Lancashire's Young Volunteers
High Sheriff of Lancashire James Carter DL commented on the selection process, stating, "There were more than 40 nominations and trying to choose three winners was a very difficult task. Lancashire has a fabulous record of people undertaking essential voluntary work. As a great advocate for our young people, it makes me very proud to see the next generation of community-minded volunteers showing their dedication and sacrifice. They should all be congratulated, and I wish also to give a huge thank you to those who have made the effort to nominate them."
Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett added, "Many congratulations to Lucie who is this year's deserved winner, and to Millie and Leon who were worthy runners-up. I am proud to celebrate the achievements of so many remarkable young people across Lancashire. Their commitment, kindness, and the meaningful contributions they make to their communities are truly outstanding."
The awards underscore the vital role that young citizens play in strengthening community bonds and addressing social issues across Lancashire, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
