Poppy, 15, who attends the 1st Theydon Bois Guides, received the Jack Petchey Achievement Award for her positive attitude and caring nature.
She relocated to the UK from Cameroon shortly after the pandemic and quickly became an integral part of her guide unit.
Described as “fun, happy, helpful and inclusive,” Poppy is known for her selflessness and consideration for others.
She chose to use her £300 Jack Petchey grant to fund a paddleboarding session for the unit at Essex Outdoors.
The award was presented at a recent ceremony at the Queen’s Theatre, where 81 young people from Guides Essex West were recognised for their achievements.
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Jack Petchey CBE, founder of the Jack Petchey Foundation, died in 2024.
Speaking about the awards before his death, he said: “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded.”
Sir Jack set up the Foundation in 1999 to inspire, motive and celebrate the achievements of young people.
Since then it has invested more than £180 million in programmes across London and Essex, directly benefitting more than 1.3 million young people and reaching thousands more.
More than 235,000 Jack Petchey Achievement Awards have been handed out, and 2.5 million people have attended a Jack Petchey Foundation event.
