Big Foot Forward is a campaign that shines a light on young people who choose action over silence, courage over complacency. Luke Ashurst, a teenager from the United Kingdom, stands as a vivid example of someone who stepped beyond routine to help someone in need. On a routine morning while delivering newspapers, a sudden cry drew his attention. He followed the sound to a customer’s house and found an elderly woman on the floor in pain after a fall. He did not hesitate. He assessed the scene, ensured she was comfortable, and used his phone to call an ambulance while also notifying her son. He remained with her, speaking calmly to reassure her and keep her awake, even as he tidied up the small mess left by the fall. After making sure she was in the best possible hands and the ambulance was on its way, he returned to his rounds on his bike, continuing with the day as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
That moment of quiet, deliberate care marked the kind of character Luke shows every day. He stayed with the woman until help could take over and offered steady company when fear could easily take hold. News reporters did not hear of his actions until the woman’s son nominated him for the News Deliverer Merit Award. The nomination highlighted his readiness to help, his decency under pressure, and his commitment to serving the community through the ordinary duties of his job as a paper deliverer. He received a prize of 250 pounds, which is about 350 Canadian dollars in today’s market, a tangible reminder that a single compassionate choice can carry real value and inspire others.
Luke’s story resonates beyond his town because it reflects a simple truth about communities: trusted neighbors can be heroes in the smallest moments. His quick thinking, gentle voice, and practical actions kept a vulnerable person safe and calm at a potentially dangerous time. The News Deliverer Merit Award recognizes a real contribution, not just a feel good tale, and it emphasizes the responsibility that comes with service work and youth involvement. For readers across Canada and the United States, Luke’s example offers a reminder that anyone can rise to a moment of need. The broader Big Foot Forward Contest invites stories from across North America, inviting people to share moments when someone shows courage, generosity, and practical kindness in everyday life.
What have you done to make the world a better place? Do you know an outstanding citizen who should be recognized? The Big Foot Forward Contest invites submissions from communities across Canada and the United States. It celebrates those who go beyond expectations, people who turn everyday acts into lasting impact. By telling and sharing these stories, communities encourage others to act with the same level of care, turning small moments into a ripple of kindness that can spread far beyond one street. Luke’s example remains a powerful reminder that bravery does not require a grand gesture; it starts with noticing a neighbor in need and choosing to respond. Participants in the contest may inspire schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods to cultivate empathy, responsibility, and mutual support, turning good intentions into visible, tangible outcomes.