A YOUNG Bolton author has been honoured with a national award at the Palace of Westminster.

Milan Paul Kumar was presented with the Medal of Honour, from Nicky Cox MBE, for his outstanding achievements during lockdown.

The nine-year-old read 50 books in the first three months of lockdown, raising more than £2,000 for the National Literacy Trust through their Fit for Lit challenge, and he was awarded a Digital Sports Award in 2020 due to his efforts towards the #KeepGMMoving campaign.

Not only did he complete all this, Milan went on to self-publishing his first book, Covid Christmas Parade, as well as becoming a pen pal with residents in care homes across the UK as part of the National Literacy Trust’s ‘My Dear New Friend’ to combat isolation and loneliness amongst older adults.

All proceeds from his book went to the National Literacy Trust and most recently Milan took part in five days of challenges involving hiking, cycling, skiing and go karting around the country to raise more money for the National Literacy Trust, which now totals more than £6,000.

Speaking of his success, Milan said: “I feel truly humbled to be presented with a medal at the House of Lords inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’.

“I am only at the start of my fundraising journey, there is so much more to do to help support disadvantaged children.”

Milan has had great success over the last 18 months and his parents, Daxa and Paul Kumar, are really proud of him.

They said: “We are immensely proud of the incredible work Milan has done to support disadvantaged children.

“Thank you to staff and patrons at the British Citizen Award presentation for recognising the incredible work young people are doing in their communities.

“We were truly honoured and privileged to be surrounded by the most inspirational youth of today.”

On October 26, 23 extraordinary young people were honoured with the The British Citizen Youth Award for the 2021 Roll of Honour.

Television presenter Anthea Turner presented the awards and said: “This group of British Citizen Youth Award medallists represented community leadership, tech for good, climate campaigns and social conscience.

“Having met them all, it made me more confident of the future than I have felt for some time. These are amazing young people who deserve this recognition and I hope others aspire to be like them.”