Francie Stokes

Francie Stokes is 13 years old and is a member of the Irish Traveller Community. His family have been settled in Derry for generations.

Francie is a leading member of Oakleaf Boxing Club and is the reigning 36 kilo Irish Champion, and has over 40 contests losing only twice.

Francie never misses a training night and his ambition is to compete at the Olympics and win a gold medal.

Besides being an accomplished amateur boxer, Francie has the distinsion of being the first Irish Traveller ever to be enrolled in Derrys prestigious grammer school, St. Columb's College in its 100 years history.

I firmly believe Francie would be an ideal young person to receive this honour, and would be a very popular choice and a role model for his community not just in Derry but in Ireland and in the UK