A Young Ambassador from Stand-by-me Bereavement Support, who has helped take the issue of childhood bereavement all the way to Parliament, has been named the BBC Three Counties Young Hero 2026.

Evie Everett, 12, a Young Ambassador for the charity – which provides bereavement support to children, young people and their families across North Hertfordshire and Stevenage – received the accolade at the BBC Three Counties Make a Difference Awards on Monday 28 September. The event was hosted by Andy Collins, presenter of the BBC Three Counties Radio breakfast show.

Evie was recognised for her determination to raise awareness of childhood bereavement and the need for better support for children and young people following the death of someone important to them.

Evie's father died when she was nearly five. She has chosen to use this experience to help other bereaved children and young people feel less alone when managing their grief.

As a Young Ambassador for Stand-by-me, Evie has spoken openly about her experiences, taken part in videos used within the charity's programmes and supported its awareness and fundraising work.

Her campaigning has also helped bring the issue of childhood bereavement to the attention of Parliament.

Last year, Evie seized the opportunity to speak directly to her Member of Parliament, Kevin Bonavia (MP for Stevenage), at a community festival. She raised her concerns about the lack of support available to bereaved children and young people.

The conversation made a lasting impression. Since then, Evie and Stand-by-me have twice been referenced by Mr Bonavia in parliamentary debates, helping to draw attention to the importance of collecting better data on childhood bereavement and the need for pupils to receive appropriate bereavement education and support through schools.

Evie says:

"I know how it is to lose someone. The charity helped me understand that it's OK to feel everything you feel and I want others to feel supported too."

Carol Read, Stand-by-me's Chair of Trustees, says:

"We are all very proud of Evie. What makes her so special is that she has taken something extremely difficult in her own life and chosen to use that experience to help other children and young people in a similar situation.

"Evie is passionate about making sure bereaved children are listened to and supported. She is always ready to talk to adults, professionals and other young people about what bereavement is really like, and she has shown that a young person's voice can help make a difference.

"Every time Evie talks openly about her dad and her grief, there may be another bereaved child listening who realises they are not the only one. That is what makes her a true Young Hero."

Stand-by-me's Young Ambassador programme gives bereaved young people opportunities to use their own experiences and ideas to help shape the charity's work and improve understanding of childhood bereavement.

The BBC Make a Difference Awards celebrate individuals across local communities who make a positive difference to the lives of others.