Upwell youngster Johnathon Jarvis receives Local Hero award

An eight-year-old prolific fundraiser who has his next challenge on the cards was recognised with an award win this week.

Johnathon Jarvis, from Upwell, has been fundraising for the RNLI, taking part in charity walks with family, friends and supporters.

For his hard work raising thousands of pounds for the Hunstanton base, Johnathon was named as Young Person of the Year at the fourth Your Local Paper Local Hero Awards.

The King’s Lynn-based newspaper, which is owned by Iliffe Media alongside the Citizen, holds the annual awards each year where 11 local heroes receive a trophy for their hard work in making the community a better place.

Speaking after his win, Johnathon, a Beaupre Community Primary School pupil, said: “I can’t really describe it, I’m pleased.”

His proud dad Lee added: “I’m overwhelmed with emotion. He is so brilliant. He’s only eight, but he’s much more than his age.”

Johnathon’s fundraising stemmed from his love of the RNLI and the yellow gear that they wear.

But the youngster doesn’t plan on stopping his fundraising efforts anytime soon, as he already has another charity walk in the pipeline.

Next month, Johnathon will be walking from Happisburgh to Hunstanton, stopping off at many RNLI stations along the way.

The walk will be his longest yet, covering 50 miles over four days.

He has already raised £850 this year via a GoFundMe page.

Last year, Johnathon walked from his home in Upwell to the RNLI station in Hunstanton. The four-day effort covered 42 miles and he raised more than £3,000.