Here at Little Hiccups, nothing brings us more joy than watching our families shine, support each other, and celebrate the big moments together. Today, we want to shout from the rooftops for one of our incredible young people, Violet, who was shortlisted as one of the 11 finalists for the Leeds Children’s Mayor!
Being selected as a finalist is a monumental achievement in itself, and last night, Violet and her family headed to the council chambers for the finalist presentations. Her mum sent us a wonderful recount of how the evening unfolded, and it captured the realities, beauty, and utter brilliance of our community so perfectly that we simply had to share it.
A Real Family Effort
Evenings with big crowds, quiet listening, and formal speeches can be a lot for any young person to navigate. When all 11 finalists began reading their manifestos, the sensory environment started to become overwhelming for Violet’s brother, Johnny. Without missing a beat, mum stepped out with Johnny for a breather and a bowl of spaghetti bolognese on Millennium Square to help him reset.
Meanwhile, Violet took her seat with her dad and her teacher, Miss Kelly, ready to take the floor.
Blowing It Out of the Park
Violet was the very last candidate to read her manifesto. Stepping up in front of the Lord Mayor, councillors, and a full room takes serious courage—and by all accounts, Violet absolutely blew everyone away! Her passion, clear voice, and thoughtful ideas made her family and school immensely proud.
The emotional impact of her presentation reached across the room: the councillor for East Leeds made a point of shaking Violet’s hand afterward, moved to tears because his own autistic son, also named John, reminds him so much of Johnny. It’s those spontaneous moments of shared understanding and genuine empathy that make evenings like this so powerful.
We also want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bahrawar Ahmad, who was named the new Leeds Children’s Mayor with a fantastic manifesto focusing on children’s mental health. A truly worthy winner among an exceptional group of 11 young leaders.
Johnny Steals the Show
Johnny made it back into the room just in time for the closing remarks. As the Lord Mayor stood at the lectern giving his speech, Johnny decided the moment needed a little extra flair. He marched straight up to the microphone, looked out at the assembly, and announced:
“Welcome everybody and thank you very much!”
He followed it up with a theatrical bow to rapturous appreciation. The Lord Mayor was fantastic with him—warm, welcoming, and even presenting Johnny with a special badge at the end of the night to honour his speech. It was pure joy, and a reminder that our children always belong in these spaces, exactly as they are.
So Proud of You, Violet!
With local MP Katie already getting in touch hoping to arrange a meetup with Violet, this is only the beginning of her journey.
Violet, everyone at Little Hiccups is so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for showing everyone what thoughtful, determined young leaders look like. You have represented your family, your community, and yourself with flying colours! 🌟
