Sherford siblings honoured at YMCA youth awards

Two siblings from Sherford, Plymouth, have been recognised for their outstanding community contributions at the YMCA Plymouth Youth Awards. 

ABOVE: Both siblings have been awarded

Toby Edgeler won the Young Fundraiser of the Year award, while his sister Isabelle Edgeler was a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year.

Despite the trauma of losing their father, a soldier who took his own life due to PTSD, Isabelle and Toby have made significant efforts to help others. 

Isabelle raised £232 for the Red Cross Syrian earthquake appeal by handcrafting and selling bracelets.

When the Syrian earthquake struck, she was moved to take action and fundraise for the Red Cross appeal. 

Giving up her school holidays, Isabelle, who was only 7 at the time she began, handcrafted hundreds of bracelets. She set up a stall outside her home in Sherford to raise money.

When Toby lost his Dad, he was supported by local charity, Jeremiah’s Journey, which specialises in helping children and families with bereavement. 

Toby, who is now 10 years old, described his experience with the charity in a video. 

He appeared in this film to help raise awareness of the charity. 

He has gone on to become an official ambassador for the charity, raising vital awareness and much-needed funds for Jeremiah’s Journey.

The Sherford Consortium, a partnership of national housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, Vistry Group, Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, and Countryside Partnerships, matched Isabelle’s fundraising with a £232 donation and invited the siblings to be the first to play on the new pitches at Sherford when they open in the summer.

They also gifted them vouchers in appreciation of their generosity.

Rachael Edgeler, Toby and Isabelle’s mum, said: “The awards have been an amazing celebration of the amazing young people we have in the city. So proud of my son Toby for winning Young Fundraiser of the Year and of his sister Isabelle who was a finalist in Entrepreneur of the Year. It has meant so much to Isabelle and Toby, the time and interest show in them. They both inspire me every day with their selfless attitude, compassion for others, their resilience, drive and determination whilst both still grieving the loss of their dad.”

Louise Yung from Taylor Wimpey, part of the Sherford Consortium, added: “We were moved to hear Isabelle and Toby’s stories and deeply impressed by all that they have done to help others – putting so much effort and hard work in. Sherford is known for its community spirit, neighbourly acts of kindness, and appetite for volunteering – and these children epitomise all of that. Sherford residents have supported their fundraising efforts and we wanted to recognise that and lend our support too.”