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WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, joins the call for 2022 WellChild Awards nominations

Prince Harry has called for everyone to spread the word that nominations for the Awards are now open and to nominate someone you know today.

By Chris Hill · January 20, 2022

WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, has joined national children’s charity, WellChild, in the call for nominations for the 2022 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK. This prestigious annual event celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people and the dedication of those who go that extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.

Prince Harry has called for everyone to spread the word that nominations for the Awards are now open and to nominate someone you know today at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards.

Last year’s Awards saw the winners attending a star-studded event In Kew Gardens, London where they had the chance to chat with many of the celebrity guests and WellChild supporters including Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

Prince Harry said: “Like so many, my spirit is consistently renewed by the strength and fortitude of the WellChild community. These children and their parents never cease to amaze and inspire me, and I cherish every opportunity I have to connect with them. Every year, I look forward to honouring the incredible recipients of the WellChild Awards, and I encourage everyone in the UK to get involved this year. The last two years has been hard on everyone, but for these families far harder than most. Spread the word that nominations are now open, or nominate someone you know today!”

Spread the word that nominations are now open, or nominate someone you know today!

Prince Harry

Among last year’s WellChild Award winners was Carmela Chillery-Watson, now aged seven, from Wiltshire who won the Inspirational Child 4-6 award.

Carmela misses a lot of school and only attends mornings as she needs the afternoons most days to rest and recover. She has her sad days because she is fed up with her condition but finds inner strength to battle on and find ways to overcome the obstacles she faces daily. Carmela has a zest for life and likes to be the adrenalin junky but having this personality and a body that can’t keep up does affect her mentally and can get very upset and ask mummy to take away her Muscular Dystrophy.

During Lockdown, Carmela asked what she could do to help cure her condition and help others like her. Her mother suggested she should fundraise. For the next six months over lockdown and summer Carmela completed a 2.6 marathon challenge in the garden, taught weekly virtual physio exercises to her social media followers to get them through lockdown, then did a four-week virtual superhero triathlon, a London virtual WalkWithCarmela challenge and a 30-day WonderWomanWalk completing 300km with her mum. Overall, she helped raise more than £50,000 for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

WellChild is now calling on people in the region to put forward their nominations for the 2022 WellChild Awards.

“Carmela had such a fantastic day at the WellChild Awards in London” said her mum Lucy. “It was such a great experience for us all to be involved in and something we will never forget. It would be terrific for another child or professional from our region to be a winner.”

Guests at the 2021 Awards, in association with global healthcare company GSK, included singer Ed Sheeran, TV and radio presenter Amanda Holden, rock star and artist Ronnie Wood, dancer AJ Pritchard and his partner Abbie Quinnen and singer Anne Marie who also performed at the event.

WellChild Chief Executive, Colin Dyer said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs. The pandemic placed these children and families under more pressure than many of us can comprehend. The WellChild Awards 2022 will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they continue to face and celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated. It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings and professionals who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”

If you know someone who deserves special recognition then nominate them for a WellChild Award by visiting our website at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards.

The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 20th February 2022.

There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with serious health needs. The WellChild Awards is a unique opportunity to honour the spirit of these children, young people and the dedication of those that care for them.

Entries for the 2022 Awards will be judged by an expert panel including former winners and child health professionals. Awards will be handed out at this year’s glamorous event in London in 2022.

Categories for nominations are as follows:

  • Inspirational Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of four and eighteen who has kept smiling and defied the odds despite living with a long-term serious health condition.
  • Caring Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of four and eighteen who devotes much of their time and energy freely and lovingly to help and care for a friend or sibling who is living with a serious health condition.
  • Nurse – A children’s nurse who goes the extra mile for children and young people with serious health needs.
  • Doctor – A doctor working with children and young people who goes the extra mile for the children and young people in their care.
  • Outstanding Professional Award – A professional who has worked above and beyond for children and young people living with serious health needs.