When I was 9 years old, I won the Young Citizen of the Year Award for Redbridge in 2014 through Rotary and the Ilford Recorder. I really wasn’t expecting to win because I was up against some amazing young people. This was a very big achievement for me and I was honoured to receive the award. I was then put forward for the Young Citizen for Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland 2015 Award by the current President, Eve Conway.

This time I was up against hundreds of other nominees and I told myself that even if I didn’t win, it’s amazing to be nominated. Little did I know I would win that too! I felt so proud, being the youngest person at the Rotary convention in Belfast, alongside the other strong, inspirational winners.

After my interview on stage, the former Rotary International President, Gary Huang, wanted to speak to me. We chatted for ages and he asked my mum if I would speak at his next convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil!

In Brazil, I spoke in front of 17,000 people. I was very nervous but when I received a standing ovation at the end of my speech, I realised what an achievement it was.

It is so important for me to raise money for Haven House Children’s Hospice because they gave us the time we needed to say goodbye to my sister, Molly, when she sadly passed away in 2010.

Haven House continue to support me even now by giving me free counselling and I also attend the sibling support group called ‘Buddies.’

Haven House is an amazing charity helping young people with life-limiting conditions and their families.

As a family we feel like we could never thank them enough, which is why we have shown them how grateful we are by raising over £111,000.

Everything that I have achieved since winning the Young Citizen of Redbridge Award has made a massive impact on my life. It has helped me with my grief and has also helped others. I now look at life very differently and it will continue to give me the strength I need to deal with life. I will always think of others, just as my sister Molly did.

If you have been inspired by Isabella why not start your fundraising journey for Haven House?

Also, please listen to Isabella's podcast here where she talks about what it’s like to lose a sibling and the support she receives from our Buddies group.