Youth advocate Faith Dickinson hosts ceremony for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Lakefield College School

LAKEFIELD – Faith Dickinson, local youth advocate and founder of Cuddles for Cancer, will host a beacon lighting ceremony at Lakefield College School on Thursday evening to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

She was also invited to attend Saturday Night’s Platinum Party at The Palace, a BBC broadcast from Buckingham Palace in London with live performances by Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala and Diversity.

She plans to leave Friday and return Monday.

As a newly appointed member of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, 19-year-old Dickinson is one of 54 young leaders from each Commonwealth country selected to carry the torch to mark this historic milestone.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, is credited with serving 70 years on the throne.

Dickinson represents Canada in the international celebration.

“To be able to host an event to celebrate the Queen’s story is such an honour. I am happy to be the Canadian representative and promise the love for Canada will be shared,” said Dickinson.

The sunset ceremony, featuring 70 students, along with the Lakefield College School Rock Choir, will take place on the school’s waterfront on Lake Katchewanooka.

Dickinson, who just completed her second year at the University of Ottawa, grew up in Lakefield and graduated from Lakefield College School in 2020.

Around 50 guests are expected, including some of Dickinson’s former teachers and classmates.

As host of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Youth Lighthouse Lighting, Dickinson will make a ‘grand entrance’ before lighting the lighthouse. Youth representatives from across the Commonwealth will do the same on Thursday.

Hosting the ceremony at his hometown school makes the honor all the more special, Dickinson said.

“I get to experience this great moment with my former teachers and peers, my supporters and a few volunteers. Celebrating with them means the world to me. It brings everything together perfectly,” Dickinson said.

Cuddles for Cancer, founded by Dickinson at the age of nine, celebrates a decade of activity. What started as a summer project has now put more than 9,500 blankets into the hands of beneficiaries in need in more than 50 countries around the world.

When Dickinson isn’t hand-delivering blankets to patients in hospitals across Canada, England and Scotland, she visits schools with the goal of instilling passion and leadership in young people.

Host of Thursday’s ceremony, she is happy to be part of a celebration that recognizes Queen Elizabeth II’s service while spotlighting young leaders around the world.

“My motto is: you are never too young to make a difference, locally or globally,” she said.

Dickinson is working to bring Cuddles for Cancer to the UK, Australia, Greece and other countries.

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