Ashley Palipana is a 11 year old scout at St John First Aid Cadet, born in Essex, UK to Sri Lankan parents. He is a kind, caring and helpful young man who loves to make new friends and talk to people within the community. He attends Belmont Castle Academy. He helps other children in school by being a peer mediator in Math & English. He is also a team captain and a peer mediator who helps people when they have problems. His dream is to be a Neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital for children and would love to save lots of lives.

He won British Citizen youth Award along with twenty youngsters from around the country for having their unique and inspiring story. He is a great role model amongst his peers. He is a creative member of the community, involved with scouting endeavors with theme side scouts, attending the little Thorruch St Johns Ambulance youth program and local theater productions.

Ashley has raised funds for Great Ormond Children’s Hospital ( GOCH) charity. He continues his art exhibitions at the theme side theater art gallery to raise funds. He has been recognized by St Johns Ambulance for receiving the badger of the year award in 2015 for confronting a suicidal man in his home town. He convinced the man to get down from the bridge and took him to the local church where he was sent back to his home country. Today that man is safe and healthy with his parents and thank Ashley for his courage and bravery.

He is involved in many charity events with his singing, dancing and acting talent, also has a Facebook page for his Art Gallery the “Ashley Palipana Art Gallery”.

Ashley received the British Citizen Youth Award in 2016, honored by BCyA status given by Kimberly Wyatt, received the Badger of the Year (St John’s Ambulance) given by Princess Anne, nominated for the Diana Legacy Award by Se Scout, UK, winner of the Nine Art Awards given by the Purfleet UK, Opera House, also received First Prize from St Johns Art Competition.

He is currently involved in fundraising for the Cancer research and prevention of Dementia for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, British Red Cross and Royal Opera House in UK.