A veteran Urdd volunteer from Llanerchymedd has won the John and Ceridwen Hughes Award 2026.

Derek Evans has been a part of the youth organisation on Anglesey and across North Wales for nearly half a century.

He began as secretary of the Holyhead area committee in 1975, before going onto become chair of the regional committee for over 30 years.

Mr Evans, who has also organised, led and supported community events, was surprised with the news of his award during the regional Ynys Môn Eisteddfod held in Amwlch in Saturday.

He'll be formally honoured during at a ceremony at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, which takes place at the Mona showground in May.

Elliw Mai Hughes, a member of the Ynys Môn Youth Forum, said: “Opportunities for young people wouldn’t exist without supporters, and the greatest supporter Ynys Môn has is Derek."

"This is a man who gives endlessly to create opportunities for the island’s young people. My experiences on Ynys Môn would not have been the same without Derek’s contributions."

Derek was part of the group that helped re-establish Aelwyd yr Ynys in 2004, when the Urdd National Eisteddfod was last held at Mona.

He has also been involved with organising buses from across the island to support Catrin Angharad, when she was competing in 'Cân i Gymru', as well as setting up the Urdd Ynys Môn page on Facebook - before the organisation set up its own national account

He has also played a leading role in organising various activities for young people in the area.

Eryl Williams, Urdd community manager for North and Mid Wales said: "You could say Derek is ‘Ynys Môn’s own Mistar Urdd’."

"Derek never misses the Ynys Môn Regional Eisteddfods, where he works hard to ensure the day’s arrangements run smoothly and that every competitor has a fair platform."

"Locally he has supported the Rhosmeirch Urdd Uwch Adran, and each year he volunteers with the Eisteddfod art competitions. Derek is also a familiar face at the Urdd camps, having organised dozens of trips so that children from his area can experience the lively atmosphere of the camps."

"He is highly experienced at organising, leading and supporting community events, and is an extremely popular figure in his area - especially among children and young people."

"Overall, his contribution is an example of true voluntary service - consistent, practical, and completely dedicated to the development of children and young people through the Welsh language and Urdd culture."

The John and Ceridwen Hughes Award is awarded annually by Dewi and Gerallt Hughes in memory of their parents who were very active in youth work.

Llio Maddocks, the Urdd's artistic director, added: "The John and Ceridwen Hughes, Uwchaled Award, is a very special award - and Derek thoroughly deserves it this year."

"The Eisteddfod would not exist without the tireless work of our volunteers across the country, and we are extremely grateful for the work people like Derek do for the Urdd throughout Wales."