Student who fundraises for charity and campaigns to improve diversity and inclusion in sport wins award

An inspirational young man who has raised money for charity, engaged with hard-to-reach communities and taken part in a national swimming campaign to increase diversity and accessibility has been recognised with an award.

Malick McCartney-Bojang is like no other student and frequently volunteers his free time to help others and is selfless in his approach to improving his local community.

“I really want to help and make a change in the world, and I love to help people and it makes me feel happy inside,” Malick said.

The 14-year-old also participated in a national campaign to promote diversity in open water swimming and increase accessibility, which was featured at the Olympic Games in Japan.

He swims at Colwick Lake where he is an ambassador for promoting inclusion in swimming, for which he earnt a sponsorship to compete in triathlon across Nottingham.

Malick said:

“I love to help people and make sure to spread positivity. I love to do open water swimming which has really boosted my mental health and confidence.

“I just like the thrill of it and getting all the endorphins when you just jump in and start to swim you just start to feel a massive boost to your energy and happiness.”

After being nominated by his school’s head of house and pastoral lead Richard Britton, Malick has been awarded this year’s Bringing People Together Award, which recognises a young person who has tried to bring the community together or fought to eradicate hate or racism.

The award forms part of the Live Our Best Live Awards – launched by Nottinghamshire Police in 2021 to shine a light on the inspiring work of young people across the county.

Malick was also heavily involved with his school’s foodbank drive and fundraising for War Child, a specialist charity for children affected by conflict.

He has also demonstrated resilience, strength and leadership by coaching football to hard-to-reach communities who have experienced racism in sport.

Richard Britton, of The Redhill Academy, said:

“He’s an impressive young man.

“I was head of house when he started in year seven and he’s settled really quickly. He threw himself into life at school, whether that is playing for the sports teams or buying into the charity events we run and participating in fundraising.

“In particular, what impressed me the most, is every year we do a foodbank drive and last year Malick collected food from across the community and brought a carload into school to give to people in need.

“In recent years there’s been a lot of need, so he’s really supporting those who need it, which is amazing.”