Inspirational children, families and carers honoured at 2026 WellChild Awards, attended by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
The 2026 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Monday 21st of September, celebrating the inspirational achievements of seriously ill children and those who care for them.
The 2026 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Monday 21st of September, celebrating the inspirational achievements of seriously ill children and those who care for them.
These Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. They shine a light on the remarkable resilience and heroic qualities of children and young people living with complex medical needs and honour the dedication of those around them who go the extra mile to help these children thrive.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who has been patron of WellChild for 18 years attended the ceremony for the sixteenth occasion and spent time with each of the winners and their families at a pre-ceremony reception, listening to their stories and creating unforgettable memories. Over the years he has played an important role in assisting WellChild to raise both awareness and vital funds, including personal commitments himself, to help families get the care they need.
During the ceremony, Prince Harry presented the Award for Inspirational Child (aged 4-6) to six-year-old Margot Jones-Billington from Northampton who overcame overwhelming odds to survive a bleed on the brain and a stroke at just 20 months old and now lives with multiple complex conditions.
He then gave a speech in which he said:
The WellChild Awards are always a very special evening because they give us the opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary group of children and young people living with complex medical needs, as well as the families who support them every single day.”
Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the WellChild Nurse programme, Prince Harry said:
“Since the first WellChild Nurse was appointed 20 years ago, the programme has grown to 54 nursing posts in children’s hospitals and communities throughout the United Kingdom. I was fortunate enough to see some of that work for myself when I visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital this summer. I had the chance to meet several WellChild Nurses, as well as some of the families whose lives they have helped to transform. What really struck me was just how much their role involves.
It is, of course, about helping children to leave hospital and return home. But it is about much more than that. It is about giving children and young people the confidence and support to thrive at home, at school and within their communities.
That support can make an enormous difference, not just to a child, but to an entire family.”
This year’s winners included:
- Inspirational Young Person Award winner, 17-year-old Rosanna Cornforth-Revill, from Wakefield who has become a passionate advocate for children and young people with additional needs, working to ensure the voices of disabled children and young people are heard by decision-makers.
- Special Recognition Award winner, 15-year-old George Tappenden, from Tunbridge Wells honoured for his remarkable positivity and determination even when faced with the most difficult medical procedures.
- Outstanding Nurse Award winner, Rachel Shanahan from Birmingham, recognised for combining clinical excellence with genuine empathy in her role as a WellChild Nurse.
The event brought together children, families, healthcare professionals, celebrity supporters and WellChild partners for a night of celebration and recognition. Among the star-studded guests were Dame Kelly Holmes, Gok Wan, McFly drummer Harry Judd and Peter Andre. The evening was hosted by WellChild ambassador Gaby Roslin.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James, said:
“The WellChild Awards are an incredibly special moment each year to pause and celebrate some of the truly remarkable stories from within our national network of children living with complex medical needs, their families, the children’s nurses and the professionals caring for them.
“The event is all about shining a bright spotlight on their triumphs, their bravery, their kindness and their determination to live well in the face of complex medical challenges. It’s more important than ever that we are loud and clear about this growing population of young people who, all too often, feel unrecognised in our society.
“Alongside our Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and our valued supporters, we can give these families a platform to be seen, heard and felt on a national level. In turn, the support generated helps more seriously ill children and young people on their journey from hospital, to home, to living well.”
Stephanie Dean, Director of Programmes, Charitable Investments at GSK said: ‘GSK is proud to stand alongside WellChild as principal sponsor of these Awards, honouring the incredible spirit and determination of children, young people and their dedicated carers, and recognising the life-changing support WellChild provides to families across the UK facing complex health challenges. We continue to be inspired by their remarkable resilience, compassion and drive to live life to the fullest.’
