Sick children and caring health professionals from throughout the country have been given a well deserved pat on the back in a star studded celebration at the WellChild Awards 2009.

Prince Harry and a host of celebrities attended the fifth annual WellChild Awards ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel in London on Monday 28 September. Prince Harry presented one of the Awards and gave a short speech at the event.

Celebrities who came along to present awards to the winners included Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne, comedian and I’m a Celebrity winner Joe Pasquale, Ian Waite from Strictly Come Dancing, BBC sports reporter - and currently competing in Strictly Come Dancing - Chris Hollins, Laura Hamilton of Nickelodeon, explorer Benedict Allen, former Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon, band Scouting for Girls, actors Ben Richards and Gary Lucy from The Bill and TV presenter Emma Forbes who was the host at the event.

Following the ceremony Duncan Bannatyne, who has recently funded a WellChild nurse for Cumbria, made a fundraising appeal to allow WellChild to expand its work to help seriously ill children and their families in the UK.

Music at the event was provided by all female electric string quartet Escala who shot to fame in the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2008.

 

 

WellChild Award Winners 2009

 

Name: Alex Burke

Award: Bravest Child 2-5

From: Manchester

Alex, 6, has Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) a genetic condition where non cancerous tumours grow on the nerves around the body. Alex has been unwell since birth and NF1 has symptoms such as sight and hearing problems, bone deformities and poor coordination.

Alex’s speech is difficult to understand, he has learning difficulties and he attends Ashgate special school. He loves Power Rangers, Dr Who, computer games and playing on his trampoline. He was nominated by his parents Sarah and Kevin and attended the ceremony with them, his brother and sister, and grandfather.

Name: Aimee Humphries

Award: Bravest Child 2-5

From: Bristol

Sadly Aimee passed away recently. Her family attended the Awards in her memory. Aimee, 5, was diagnosed with Niemen Pick Type C at the age of six months – a rare genetic disease with symptoms including enlarged liver and spleen, restricted eye movement and neurological symptoms. Aimee also had liver cancer and underwent intensive chemotherapy. Aimee loved music and singing and dancing, and recently completed the Race for Life in Bristol, even walking across the line.

Aimee was nominated by her parents Jackie and Ian who say that Aimee is an inspiration to everyone and her bravery and positive attitude has kept the whole family going.

  

Name: Alexandra Emery

Award:  Bravest Child 6-8

From: Coventry

Alexandra, 7, became ill around two years ago being sick and feeling dizzy. After being seen a number of times at the hospital she was eventually diagnosed with Alexander Disease, a rare genetic condition affecting the nervous system. In the early part of this year, Alexandra weighed just 2 stone as she could not keep any food in her stomach, and she could not speak properly. She had surgery in April to insert a feeding tube, she was unable to continue at school and she needed supervision with all daily activities.

Sadly Alexandra passed away on 5th July 2009. She was nominated for the Award by Angela Thompson her Community Paediatrician, and her parents Sonja and David received her Award with her younger brother Madison.

Name: Kelsey Trevett

Award: Bravest Child 6-8

From: Watford

Kelsey, 7, was diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye) at 16 weeks old, and after losing one eye, then the other, he is now completely blind. He can now read and write in Braille, use a cane and has recently passed dancing and swimming exams.

Kelsey was nominated by his mum Jo who says that Kelsey’s positive attitude has helped support the whole family. He attended the ceremony with his parents Jo and Dickon and sister Jordan.

Name: Keir Mills-Watt

Award: Bravest Child 9-11

From: Stirlingshire

Keir, 9, has severe Cerebral Palsy and Dystonia, a neurological disorder causing involuntary muscle contractions and spasms which are very painful. Keir has been ill since birth and now has to use a wheelchair and has no form of vocal communication. Despite this Keir attends mainstream school and has many friends.

Keir loves Dr Who, going to the cinema and watching football – he supports Falkirk and Crystal Palace. He was nominated by his mum and attended the ceremony with her.

 

Name:  Jessica Redfearn

Award: Bravest Child 9-11

From: Ashford, Kent

Jessica, 11, had a stroke at the age of 9. For a while after the stroke she was unable to walk, talk or control the right side of her body. Through hard work and physiotherapy she is now able to walk and talk again and enjoys art and dancing. Jessica has also done a lot in her area to raise awareness of strokes in children.

Jessica was nominated by her parents Tarnia and Tim, and she attended the ceremony with them and her sister and Grandad.

 

Name:  Lyndon Longhorne

Award: Bravest Child 12-15

From: County Durham

Lyndon, 13, contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia when he was 9 months old. As a result he has had part of both of his legs and hands amputated. He is very independent and always embraces new challenges including rock climbing. He loves drama and is a great swimmer and he hopes to swim at the 2012 Olympics.

Lyndon attended the ceremony with Tammy, his brother Kenny and his step dad Kenneth.

Name: Shelbi Grist

Award:  Bravest Child 12-15

From: Waterlooville, Portsmouth

Shelbi, 15, has McCune Albright Syndrome, Polyostic Fibrous Dysplasia and Focal Nodular Hyperplasia which is a tumour on the liver causing jaundice and blood poisoning. Shelbi has been unwell since birth, has multiple fractures and spends a large amount of time in hospital. Shelbi goes to mainstream school and plays wheelchair basketball for three teams and has recently been asked to train with the Great Britain team. Her ambition is to go to the Paralympics in 2012.

Shelbi was nominated by her parents and attended the ceremony with her mum, brother, grandmother and friend Amy.

 

Name: Brett Glover

Award: Bravest Child 16+

From: Acton, Cheshire

Brett, 18, has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. He is wheelchair bound and has no feeling below the chest. He was nominated by Caroline Sanders who has nursed Brett for 11 years at Alder Hey Hospital and who has become a great friend to Brett and his family. He loves WWE wrestling and is hoping to go to college to study media. Caroline describes Brett as a ‘wonderful young man’. Brett attended the ceremony with his mum Karen, twin brother Jamie, his two younger brothers Kier and Jordan, and also Caroline.

Name: Christian Smalley

Award:  Bravest Child 16+

From: Northamptonshire

Christian, 19, has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was 4 years old and he gradually became weaker. The disease causes progressive weakness of the muscles. Christian now uses a wheelchair and has very limited movement throughout his body.

Christian was nominated by his friend Katherine Lewis who he was at school with and who is now a great friend. Christian loves music and F1 racing. He attended the Awards with his friend Katherine, his parents Kathryn and Scott, his brother and sister Ben and Jade, and his grandparents.

Name:  Ashley Oldham

Award: Most Caring Child

From: Ashton under Lyne

 Ashley, 15, has two younger brothers, Nathan and Leo. Nathan has Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy and depression. Ashley helps his parents care for Nathan and Leo, even being able to put Nathan in the recovery position at the age of 6! Whilst Nathan is in hospital, Ashley is the main carer for Leo, getting him up in the morning and ready for school and cooking him dinner and helping him with his homework after school

Ashley loves music and playing the drums. He was nominated by his head teacher Moira Thompson who says that Ashley never expects thanks for what he does. Ashley attended the ceremony with his parents Donna and Steven, Moira Thompson and his brothers Nathan and Leo.

Name:  Lucy Tutton

Award: Most Caring Child

From: Bristol

Eight year old Lucy’s sister Sophie has Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder causing learning, mobility and communication difficulties and epilepsy. Lucy helps care for her sister and is very used to doing her homework in hospital!

Lucy was nominated by her teaching assistant Jayne Baxter who says that Lucy is a constant support for her sister and parents. Lucy attended the Awards with her parents Faith and Paul, her sister Sophie and also Jayne.

             

Name: Heather Carrick

Award: Best Nurse

From: Glasgow

Heather is a ‘Can Care’ Coordinator and supervises a team of carers. She has considerable experience as a nurse and special care baby nurse, but now recruits, trains and supervises carers, matching them with families in order to provide home based respite for parents of children with complex and life limiting conditions.

Heather was nominated by her colleague Annie Hair and attended the ceremony with her family and with Annie.

 

Name: Dr Ed Wraith

Award: Best Doctor

From: Manchester

Dr Wraith is a Consultant in Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Disease at Manchester Children’s Hospital. He is at the forefront of care and research around MPS diseases, runs clinical trials and attends conferences about his work, and is widely respected by his peers and the families that he works with.

Dr Wraith was nominated by Rashpal Singh whose son Daniel has been under the care of Dr Wraith for 14 years. Dr Wraith attended the Awards with his wife, Rashpal and his family and also two colleagues.

  

Name:  The Limb Reconstruction Team

Award: Best Medical Team

From: Kings College Hospital, London

The Limb Reconstruction Team is a multidisciplinary team of 18 who work to support patients with congenital or acquired limb deformities or complications with fractures. They have also set up a charity called The KCH Limb Reconstruction Trust’ to help support families experiencing limb reconstruction.

Attending the Awards ceremony from the team are Sarah Phillips, Debbie Bond, Vicky Khan, Freda Cahalan, Ruth Boyd, and Karen Sherris. Also attending are nominators Deborah Bestwick with family Seth and Manick, and Natasha Roe with her husband and her daughter Edie. Seth and Edie have been under the care of the team since birth.

 

Name: Gemma Downes

Award: Best Allied Health Professional

From: Oxford

Gemma is a social worker who has worked in the Oncology Ward at the Children’s Hospital in Oxford for three years. Gemma was nominated for the award by her colleagues Wendi Snart and Liz Leigh. Wendi and Liz say they would like to ‘bottle’ Gemma and duplicate her so others can benefit from her wonderful work.

Gemma attended the Awards with her family, Wendi, Liz and Sandra Ing and her daughter Amie, who Gemma has worked closely with for the last few years. Sandra says Gemma has been a rock for her whole family, even decorating Amie’s bedroom as a surprise for her return from hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Julie Chambers

Award: Best Community Practitioner

From: Belfast

Julie is a Community Children’s Nursing Sister from Northern Ireland. She works in the community delivering innovative and high quality care to children, young people and their families.

Julie was nominated jointly by her colleague Doris Corkin and Marie and Michael Hollywood who have known Julie through her involvement with their children for at least 20 years. She is described by Doris as being ‘an ambassador for children’s nursing’.

 

Name:  Irene Renwick

Award: Best School Professional

Location: Edinburgh

 

Irene is a Special Educational Needs Nursery Nurse at Sandersons Wynd Primary School. Irene was nominated by Lynne Greenhill and her son Jack. Irene has worked with Jack for three years and Lynne describes her as a ‘fairy godmother’.

Alongside her school role, Irene provides respite for another child on weekends and gives up time at Easter and in the summer holidays to run a play scheme for children with special needs. Irene attended the Awards with her son and colleagues.