The Inspirational Theo Sergiou

Theo is a cancer survivor has won the Rotary Young Citizen Award after being nominated by Enfield Chase Rotary Club.

Theo Sergiou, 19, was diagnosed with eye cancer aged two and, aged four, was told it was terminal. But the tumours stopped growing and although he remains partially sighted, Theo survived.

A UK Youth Parliament representative, the Enfield teenager is committed to community work such as tackling knife crime. During the pandemic, Theo has written to the prime minister about the lack of provision for children with special educational needs, who he says are suffering mental health problems and not getting an education.

He is passionate about reducing knife crime, Enfield being one of the worst boroughs. He was recruited to the Youth Advisory Forum which reports directly to the Cabinet. This is the first ever youth civil service body and Theo is the youngest person in British history to contribute to a No. 10 Cabinet meeting. He compiled an academic report on ‘Our Generations Epidemic: Knife Crime’ in the hope of producing a more accurate policy.

Theo was instrumental in forming the Youth Violence Commission document which was delivered to former Prime Minister Theresa May leading to a Knife Crime summit last April with a variety of professionals

Theo said: “As my motto goes, I don’t need a reason to do things, I need a reason not to. I hope this Award inspires other people to try the same outlook. With the recent outbreak of Covid-19, I draw even closer to these principles, knowing how precious life truly is. This Award has allowed me to reflect over my life experiences and have hope that growth behind barriers is always possible; never before has this message been so importance to us all”.