New initiative unveiled to honour exceptional young people within the British Armed Forces community
Jacobs Medal
Young people from the Armed Forces Community constantly go above and beyond and it’s now time that we celebrate their achievements.
A new initiative, called the ‘Jacobs Medal’ was unveiled at the recent Celebrating Forces Families Awards launch party at the London Transport Museum, the event was hosted by global engineering, development and management consultancy Mott Macdonald who are the Celebrating Forces Families Awards headline sponsor for 2025 and are big supporters of the Armed Forces.
Jacob Mason, a 14-year-old with a remarkable story, penned the poignant poem "This is Normal For Me" at the tender age of ten. As the son of a submariner, Jacob's words captured the unique experiences and challenges faced by military children, offering a glimpse into his world.
Jacob with the final medal design
At the Mountbatten Festival of Music in the Royal Albert Hall, London, Jacob courageously performed his poem before a captivated audience. His heartfelt recitation, set against the backdrop of "Eternal Father," moved those in attendance to tears.
Inspired by the profound impact of his words, Jacob felt a deep desire to support other young people in the Armed Forces community. He wanted to recognise their resilience, their triumphs, and the incredible initiatives they undertake.
With the invaluable support of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Jacob's vision became a reality. He designed the "Jacob's Medal," a tangible symbol of appreciation and admiration. This medal will be awarded to every young person nominated for the Young Person's Award at the Celebrating Forces Families Awards, serving as a lasting tribute to their extraordinary achievements.
“The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is honoured and humbled to be involved in the launch of Jacob’s medal – for children and young people linked to the Military Community who, like Jacob, have done something brave or shown courage.
Jacob shared his story at an RNRMC Ball in 2022. It was very moving to see this young man speak and share a poignant poem he had written about his experience. Jacob, being utterly selfless, turned down a gift and asked if his gift could be this medal, which we asked him to design.
RNRMC is delighted to be sharing this with Celebrating Forces Families to recognise those young people, like Jacob, who are inspired to go on in those difficult times,” said Mandy Harding, Head of Commissioned Grants, Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.
To discover more about Jacob’s medal and witness his inspiring performance at the Royal Albert Hall, visit https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/jacobs-medal.
The Young People’s Award recognises extraordinary young individuals who have made a significant impact on the Armed Forces community. Whether through volunteer work, community initiatives, or advocacy, these exceptional young people have demonstrated a commitment to supporting those who serve and their families.
All young people nominated will receive a Jacobs medal to celebrate their successes.
Do you know an exceptional young person from a military family whose dedication, resilience, and unwavering support deserve to be recognised? We invite you to submit a nomination for the 2025 Celebrating Forces Families Awards. All the information you need is available at https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/nominate2025.
Let’s honour the extraordinary contributions of our Armed Forces families and celebrate their unique experiences. Nominate someone today and help us shine a light on their remarkable stories.