Rotary Young Citizen Award 2024

ROTARY’S prestigious Young Citizen Award 2024 has been presented to Minehead teenager Anthony Knight, who has been performing violin cameos across Europe to raise funds for the DEC Ukraine Appeal and UNICEF.

Anthony received his award on Saturday 20th April from two former winners, Bella Field and Katriona Goodsell, at the Rotary Young Citizen Awards ceremony in Alcester, Warwickshire, home of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.

Anthony was nominated for his Rotary Young Citizen Award by the Rotary Club of Taunton. Rotarian Alan Reeves said: “Anthony is a genuinely talented young musician who has already been accepted into the Royal College of Music. It is testament to Anthony’s generous spirit that he is using this talent for the benefit of others, performing both in Taunton and across Europe. It has been an absolute pleasure to nominate him for a Rotary Young Citizen Award.”

We have just heard that Anthony's sponsored UNICEF Grand Tour, performing recitals in 12 Countries, in 12 months, travelling 13,500 miles is now complete. The climax of his Grand Tour was to the Benelux countries plus Switzerland, from 14th till 23rd July, finishing with a performance in Bern Minster on 21st July. On Monday 15th July, Anthony gave a teatime recital at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, which Kees Hogetoorn, Director of Sales & Marketing (photo attached) had advertised: 'This unique event promises to blend the elegance of our renowned Afternoon Tea with the mesmerizing sounds of Anthony’s violin, creating an atmosphere of pure enchantment. Don’t miss this chance to experience his beautiful violin playing up close and let his exquisite interpretations sweep you away.'

On Wednesday 17th Anthony performed at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place on Friday 19th at Sofitel Luxembourg Europe, Luxembourg City; and Sunday 21st at Bern Minster. At each venue Anthony would talk about his Grand Tour and invite members of the audience to donate at Unicef.org. 

Anthony has expressed his gratitude to Taunton Rotary for sponsoring his UNICEF Grand Tour, which he hopes, through extensive media coverage, has inspired other young people to use their talents for good, as well as raising awareness and vital funds for UNICEF.