WellChild Awards 2012 in association with GlaxoSmithKline

Winners of the WellChild Awards 2012 enjoyed a glittering evening with Prince Harry and a host of celebrities.

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the WellChild annual awards, supported by GlaxoSmithKline, a fantastic event which celebrates the bravery of some of the country’s seriously ill children and the dedication of the people who go that extra mile to really make a difference to their lives.

 

WellChild's Royal Patron Prince Harry spoke to all the winners and their families individually before the moving ceremony in which their stories were told and they were presented with their awards.

The Prince gave a speech praising all their winners at the glittering ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in London's Park Lane.

In addition to the brave and caring child categories, the WellChild Awards recognise people who have made a real difference to sick children by caring above and beyond the call of duty, or have worked extra hard to keep children healthy and happy – including outstanding health, social care or education professionals.

There are more children than ever before in the UK living with long-term illness, and the WellChild Awards is a great opportunity to honour all those people battling with complex conditions.

Entries for the 2012 Awards were judged by an expert panel including children’s health researchers, former winners and health professionals.

A host of celebrities attended the awards including comedian Russell Howard, Bruno Tonioli and Nancy Dell'Olio from Strictly Come Dancing, Holby City actors Guy Henry and Paul Bradley, TV journalists Chris Hollins and Emily Maitlis, pop group Scouting For Girls, Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne, presenter Janet Ellis, Made in Chelsea star Millie MacIntosh, James and Oliver Phelps from the Harry Potter films and many, many more. Music was provided by Jaz Ellington and Leanne Mitchell from The Voice TV show and hosts for the evening were TV presenters Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes.

News of the WellChild Awards went global with reports and pictures on press and TV around the world as well as appearing on the front pages of many national newspapers in the UK and on many of the main national TV news programmes.

**To take a look at all the pictures from the 2012 WellChild Awards click HERE**

 

The winners of the 2012 Awards are:

Inspirational Child 3-6yrs Female:

Hope Hillis

Hope was born prematurely weighing just 1lb 9oz and almost died. Now aged five she has undergone more than 50 operations for a host of serious health problems and has spent most of her life in hospital. Despite her very serious condition she loves life and lives it to the full. She is doing well at school and is an adorable little girl. She always gives a smile, no matter how sick she is. The family friend who nominated Hope for the award said: “She is a bright little spark, determined not to be extinguished just yet.”

 

Inspirational Child 3-6yrs Male:

Alexander Logan

Alex was diagnosed with acute leukaemia when he was just three years old. He was rushed to intensive care and his chances of survival were less than 5 per cent. But despite the seriousness of his condition he slowly began to improve. Alex is not out of the woods yet, his treatment continues, he has fought off other infections and will be tested for brain damage. But his parents say he is doing amazingly well now. He faces the future with a huge smile, he loves going to hospital because he sees it as a time to catch up with his friends the nurses and doctors.

 

 

Inspirational Child 7-11yrs Female:

Rose Whittle

 

In 2011 Rose was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare children’s cancer. She has had to endure 18 months of intensive and very difficult treatment. Despite this she has stayed cheerful, kept up to date with school work, friends and family, as well as teaching herself magic tricks. She even did the Sport Relief mile just a few weeks after she was discharged from isolation. Her parents describe her as happy, playful, charming, hilarious, entertaining, dignified, determined and loving. Her teacher says “She has a positive outlook which has humbled us all.”

 

Inspirational Child 7-11yrs Male:

Matthew Merritt

 

Matthew is a cheeky, happy boy who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On top of the physical and emotional challenges of his condition he is taking part in a clinical drug trial which has had a huge impact on his life. He selflessly takes part in this despite knowing he might not get any personal benefit from the study because he knows he is helping other children with the same condition. Anyone who meets Matthew is overwhelmed by his personality, his keenness to ask questions and learn and his infectious cheekiness. His attitude and personality are an inspiration to all.

 

  

Inspirational Young Person 12-15yrs Female:

Pooja Deshpande

 

Pooja is an amazing, determined 12 year old who has made a fantastic start to secondary school despite huge health difficulties. Pooja has spinal muscular atrophy which causes progressive muscle weakness and she has very limited movement. Despite her condition she attends mainstream school and strives to achieve all she can. She joins in all the lessons and contributes to class discussions and has even joined the choir and taken part in school performances. Pooja is determined to succeed and to keep going no matter how uncomfortable, tired or unwell she feels.

 

 

Inspirational Young Person 12-15yrs Male:

 

Declan Spencer

 

Declan is a bright funny boy with lots of freckles who is the apple of his mother’s eye.

When he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy the family were told he will loose the ability to walk and would not be expected to reach adulthood. Throughout all his treatment and a major operation on his back he has never complained. He has had many setbacks and even spent Christmas day in bed but due to his hard work and effort he is managing to sit in his electric wheelchair for five hours a day. His mother describes him as brave beyond words.

 

  

Inspirational Young Person 16+yrs Female:

 

Hannah Wright

 

Hannah was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukaemia with only 20% survival rate in 2004 and underwent months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy before having a bone marrow transplant. In 2011 she had a full blown relapse and more treatment. At the moment Hannah is on the slow road of recovery. Despite serious side-effects from her ongoing treatment she has remained a happy girl and lived life to the full.  She takes younger patients at hospital under her wing. And has set up her own charity TEAM Hannah to help support cancer charities and hospitals.

 

  

Inspirational Young Person 16+yrs Male:

 

Will Moores

 

Will has been chirpy, confident and outstandingly brave through his long and gruelling treatment for a brain tumour. Aged just 16, one of his main concerns has been to help keep his mother, younger brother and the rest of his extended family's spirits as up. He accepted all the setbacks in his treatment with grace and maturity beyond his years. His mum says that, though every step of his journey has been incredibly tough, he smiles and continues his fight to beat the disease and get back to his normal life. He is a true inspiration.

 

  

Most Caring Young Person female

 

Charley Holmes

 

Charley is an eight year old whose much loved sister Katy, aged 10, was diagnosed last October with a terminal brain tumour. Katy became very ill and the family was told to say their goodbyes. Charley kissed Katy, held her hand and told her that she loves her. But Katy pulled through and Charley was told Katy was going to go to heaven, but not yet. Somehow she managed to keep this awful secret from Katy and would talk to her about things they would do when she was better, though she knew this would not happen. Katy passed away in January and although Charley no longer has a difficult secret to carry she is still trying to be brave for everyone around her.

 

 

Most Caring Young Person male.

 

Ryan Skidmore

 

Ryan, 13, has a little sister Lilly Mae who has a rare syndrome which has left her with a host of serious health problems. Ryan helps his parents look after Lilly and even gives his mum time in bed to catch up on sleep, bringing her breakfast in bed. Ryan always sticks up for his little sister and does his best to support her. His mum has painful hip problems which mean she is sometimes confined to bed. Ryan will help out as much as he can as he loves his sister so much. The whole family took Lilly Mae to Florida with a children’s charity in December and Ryan was a great help.

 

 

Nurse

 

Jane Wood

 

Jane is the Nurse Manager at Treloar School and College for physically disabled young people. Once colleague described Jane as “Simply the most dedicated, caring and professional nurse I have ever worked with.” She is a great advocate for the young people and her knowledge and understanding of them is outstanding.  Jane will always go the extra mile. She never seems to be off duty and often works extra shifts and accompanies the young people to hospital if they need an emergency admission. She is also great fun and is respected by all.

 

 

Doctor

 

James Bruce

 

James Bruce is Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Clinical Director of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The grateful family of one of his young patients said of him: “Words to describe him include caring, incredibly supportive, skilled, dedicated, passionate, and inspirational and above all a real people person. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for Mr Bruce.” Mr Bruce is widely respected by both his colleagues and the families he works with. He does everything he can to help those at the Children's Hospital and even finds time for fundraising, completing the Great Manchester run for the hospital

 

  

Team

 

Southampton Paediatric Rheumatology Team.

The team, from University Hospital, Southampton, provides an invaluable service for patients and is said to always go the extra mile. Team members have been praised for their caring attitude to children and parents and for the relaxed atmosphere they encourage. They are also always available, even out of hours to give assistance and advice. One parent said: “The care that Eve has received from the team has been inspiring - they are always so approachable, they listen, they are open and sensitive, they have a fabulous positive attitude and they seem to have a zero tolerance of any suffering, striving to continually improve things for Eve and the other children.”

 

  

Health Professional.

Emma Twigg

 

Emma is Paediatric Clinical Psychologist in the Long Term Ventilation team at Liverpool Alder Hey hospital where she provides tremendous support to children, families and professionals.  Her role is vital in supporting children and families through the practical and emotional side to an often turbulent journey. Emma works endlessly from morning to night to ensure that families and children are well supported, often giving up weekends to support the children’s forum within Alder Hey, to make sure the children’s voices are heard. She is described as a true inspiration.

 

  

Researcher

 

Professor Carol Dezateux

 

Professor Carol Dezateux has shown great passion and motivation for Children’s Health research and demonstrated unwavering support of young researchers embarking on this career path. She has given invaluable support over a number of years for the WellChild research programme, including chairing various panels and helping to improve what we do. She has recently stepped down as chair of both the research and advisory panel and is about to embark on a new and exciting national birth study next year.

 

 

Volunteer

Janice Perkins

Janice was team leader for Co-op Pharmacy’s Helping Hands project ‘Nicole’s garden makeover’ in Manchester and she went above and beyond the call of duty. She liaised with a huge range of contacts to make things run smoothly and kept the family informed and involved. Helping Hands projects usually take two days to complete, but the huge undertaking Janice and the Co-op team set themselves took six weeks.  The fantastic result completely fitted the brief that Nicole’s mum set. Janice remained calm despite the huge strain of such a big project and steered it to a superb and much appreciated outcome.

 

Special Recognition Award

 

WellChild Marathon runners Rob Schooling, Lionel Wolovitz, Andy Halliday, Jason Lee

 

Rob Schooling has completed the London Marathon three times wearing WellChild’s huge and heavy Nessa the Nurse mascot costume – one of the biggest in the race. Lionel Wolovitz has run the London marathon for WellChild no less than 11 times while England Hockey manager Andy Halliday and England Hockey coach Jason Lee both completed this year’s marathon dribbling hockey balls the full length of the course! All are London Marathon stars for WellChild who have raised tens of thousands of pounds for our work for sick children and their families across the UK.

 

 

 

West4Music is working closely with WellChild on the 2012 WellChild Awards to secure appropriate high quality entertainment and helping with communication between existing and potential celebrity ambassadors.

Read about the winners of last year's WellChild Awards here.