A TEENAGER from South Devon has been awarded a special ‘Number One Fan’ medal in recognition of his devotion to carnival. 

Matty, a 17-year-old, has had many medical challenges in his life and faced these with strength and determination. Carnival has become Matty’s first live and his autistic speciality. It has saved Matty in moments when he needed distraction before operations, and at scary times in his life.

A spokesperson for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival said: “From seeing his first ever cart in 2018 (Masqueraders Carnival Club's 'Master of the House'), carnival has been Matty's first love.”

“With each passing cart his eyes grew brighter, his smile wider and as soon as he got home, he was researching every club, every cart. Now, he knows all their histories, all their music and all their routines, something he shows off regularly at college discos.” 

Recently, Matty has been making hundreds of carnival bracelets to sell to help raise funds for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, and so far he has raised £125! 

By coincidence, this year’s Bridgwater Carnival on Saturday, November 2 is also Matty’s 18th birthday. As an early birthday present, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival’s President, Dave Croker, today presented Matty with a special ‘number one fan’ carnival medal and a Bridgwater Carnival coat with his name on. 

A spokesperson for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival ended: “Happy birthday Matty - a special carnival fan who has won all our hearts.”