We could not be prouder of our Media Cubs mini reporters. It has been a rocky road for these Y6 pupils through the pandemic but school is now out for summer and it’s a wrap on their Media Cubs #RaiseYourHand campaign.

Our mini reporters, led by Aisya, Sam and Jack, have conducted a successful campaign over the past few weeks to encourage primary school kids across the country to share their questions with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and other leaders, about the pandemic and be part of conversations that will shape their future.

Now, more than 100 questions have now been collected up and will be sent to Downing Street.

And what a journey it has been to get to this point!

The mini reporters have had 40 pieces of print or online news coverage for their campaign from Sale to South Wales!

They made their TV debut on ITV and held press conferences with the Mayor of Greater Manchester – Andy Burnham and the Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield – which you can watch on our YouTube channel – and attended a virtual Q&A with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism local where the panel included Lord John Bird, founder and editor in chief of the Big Issue, correspondent at Sky News Inzamam Rashid and chair of the British Youth Council Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson.

Their campaign has seen support from MPs, mums, journalists, teachers and local councils.

They approached the Cabinet Office to go on the Daily Briefing and even had support from national news outlets who said they would give up their slot. This was declined so they sent their own video questions to the PM – but they have so far still not had a response, but are staying positive that their letters will get acknowledged.

Media Cub Jack took on his first voiceover role with our new manifesto, and Media Cub Frankie became the face of our campaign with her very own billboard in Manchester City Centre.

One of the campaign leaders, Aisya, aged 11, said: “The campaign was so important to us and we want to thank everyone that supported us, our friends, other kids, our parents, teachers, journalists who we see as role models and the leaders who took the time to talk to us and answer our questions – and agreed that we should have been asked at the start of the pandemic what we thought.

“My opinions should matter, we should always be a part of big conversations – we are small – but what we think matters and we might think about a good way to do something that a grown-up doesn’t.”

Kirsty Day, Media Director for Yellow Jigsaw, and Media Cubs leader added: “This year, we have seen kids begin to value their voices through protests about climate change and Black Lives Matter. They have raised their hands and their voice to express their opinions, and we want this to continue.

“And this group of mini reporters had strong opinions and burning questions for the Prime Minister about their education, sport, and their futures post-pandemic, so we supported them to make sure they got answers, so they grow up knowing their opinions count.

“We are so proud of all of them and how they are now broadcasting confidence.

“A big thank you goes to everyone that supported the campaign and those who stepped forward to really listen to these young people.

“It is a shame that the Prime Minister is still not taking them seriously and seems to be running scared from our 11-year-old reporters. We will look forward to him getting his post and watch this space for a response.”

For more information on Media Cubs go to www.mediacubs.co.uk