Young Citizen Awards: Former winner Charlie Hogg says just nominating someone is enough recognition

Charlie Hogg with Konnie Huq at the BBC young citizen of the year awards (Image: Archant)

His actions led him to be nominated as Recorder Young Citizen of the year and go on to win the national title from Rotary on live television in Edinburgh the next year.

“I didn’t enter this. I did a talk to the Rotary and they put me forward. It was exciting and a shock,” said Charlie.

“It is something that recognises good achievement and even if it’s just nominating, that is enough recognition for most.”

Now 29 and working as a director for his family’s logistics company, Charlie said it was important that young people were represented positively.

“Unfortunately the press will capitalise on bad situations and probably stereotype them,” he said.

“In reality it is a very small minority that get the majority of the attention.

“Young citizens in the community won’t have the opportunity to tell people their stories.

“The only time they will have the opportunity is when they do something wrong or bad, from that point of view it works well to communicate a positive image within the community.”

Charlie credited the publicity from his Recorder nomination and national award with helping his charity, Go Help, continue to thrive, raising more than £200,000 a year.

“Since the awards quite a few things have happened,” said Charlie. “The project has continued to grow.”

The charity now provides children’s horse-riding helmets to prevent up to 12 deaths a year, other useful vehicles and runs an English library book project in Mongolia.

“If there is someone out there thinking about considering putting a young person forward, I would urge them to do so,” he said.

To nominate someone, email their name, contact details and reason for nomination to Ann-Marie Abbasah, or pick up a copy of the Recorder for a nomination form.