A 12-year-old boy whose older brother died suddenly last year and a little girl fighting cancer for the second time are among the Kent youngsters chosen this year for a Children’s Award.
Described as facing every day with ‘incredible bravery and unwavering courage’ by television and radio presenter Charlotte Hawkins, the awards aim to shine a light on children, families and charities fighting inconceivable battles or overcoming unimaginable odds.
Organised by estate agent Wards, and supported by the KM Group and Kent Community Foundation, the event has been running for more than 20 years – with this year’s winners presented with their accolades during a glitzy celebration lunch on Friday, which told many heartwarming stories alongside those of utter heartbreak.
You can learn more about this year’s winners bellow…
Alfie Gilmour, Brave and Courageous Child (under 10 category)
Little Alfie has a face that will ‘tell you a thousand things’ say his family. The Herne Bay youngster was born with a rare genetic condition, called Pallister Killian Syndrome that affects his muscle tone.
He is severely visually impaired, tube-fed, has epilepsy and, more recently received a diagnosis of Autonomic Dysfunction and is under a palliative care team.
Spending a lot of time in hospital means that Alfie misses one of his favourite things – school – yet despite his challenges he’s described as a cheeky, happy, smiley boy who despite being non-verbal, surprised everyone by saying the word ‘mum’ this year.
Proud mum Heidi added: “He’s taught me patience, humility, grace, and that quite honestly you just have to enjoy life. He is undoubtedly our hero.”
Barney Locke, Brave and Courageous Child (under 10 category)
Barney, now aged nine, was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome meaning all four of his limbs suffered areas of amputation whilst still in the womb.
One leg is amputated below the knee, the other has toes missing on his foot, both hands have just a few fully formed digits with others being fused and twisted at birth – leaving Barney needing multiple surgeries at Great Ormond Street Hospital as a baby.
Yet despite all of this, say his family, the little lad from Canterbury ‘hasn’t complained once’ and has risen to every challenge he’s faced, which has seen him more recently be selected to play in the Para Badminton England Junior Championships and in Belgium with the Junior England Amputee Team.
Katie Martin, Brave and Courageous Child (aged 11 and over)
Katie was born with Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting her entire body. She has global developmental delay, hearing loss, poor vision, a very high palate that makes eating difficult and left her tube fed for 10 years, is missing teeth and has had a facial tumour.
The Herne Bay youngster has also undergone major heart surgery three times, has a kidney in the wrong place which doesn’t work properly and suffers with Vitiligo across her body.
Katie’s mum Sue said despite everything she faces her daughter is the ‘happiest child you could ever hope to meet’.
She added: “She wakes up and sings. Everyone who meets Katie loves her and she brings so much joy to the world.
“Many children would be defeated by just one of the many issues which she faces and yet she seems not to notice there is anything different about her. She is a truly inspirational little girl.”
Maya Nash, Brave and Courageous Child (11 and over)
Maya Nash, 11, is described as a ‘force of nature’ by her grandmother.
The Hythe youngster has been fighting aggressive cancer Neuroblastoma since she was aged four enduring operations, countless cycles of chemotherapy, hospital stays, radiotherapy, bone biopsies, cell harvesting and immunotherapy.
She also has chemo-induced ASD and is awaiting news on a possible ADHD diagnosis.
Shortly after her 10th birthday last year, after a two-year hiatus, tests revealed the cancer had returned and Maya is now undergoing another intensive round of 12 chemotherapy cycles.
Her proud grandma told the judges: “Maya is my youngest granddaughter but she is also my greatest hero.”
The Beacock-Addley Family, Courageous Family of the Year
The Beacock- Addley family from Canterbury have had to deal with more hardship – Charlotte Hawkins told Friday’s audience – than most families will experience in an entire lifetime.
Son Stephen, now aged nine, was born with a hole in his heart, resulting in surgery at just five-months-old with more expected in the future.
Sister, Charley contracted Strep after a cold aged just three, putting her on life support and into an induced coma, but when she was brought round three weeks later they discovered she had suffered multiple strokes.
Charley, now lives with communication and mobility issues, learning difficulties, and a bowel and bladder disorder, meaning that mum Abbey is now her full time carer.
And on top of this dad Jack has had cancer, which is now fortunately in remission, but as a result has suffered long lasting nerve damage.
This incredible family, say judges, ‘are the ‘true embodiment of togetherness’ and were felt the deserved winners of this year’s Courageous Family Award.
Callum Pollard, Exceptional Young Carer
Thirteen-year-old Callum from Ashford supports his mum in caring for his younger brother, living with ASD and ADHD, and his stepdad who has spinal spondylosis.
It was Callum’s fast-thinking and quick action that helped brother Connor when he experienced his first seizure and since his sibling’s epilepsy diagnosis he’s gone above and beyond to understand all he can about the condition.
Callum was also instrumental in setting up the Ashford Sensory Football Club – the first of its kind – where he continues to give his time to help run sessions and host fundraisers.
His mum describes the teen carer as ‘an inspiration to his whole family’.
Dexter Dray, Young Volunteer or Fundraiser
Last year the Dray family suddenly and tragically lost their teenage son Ryley. He was just 16-years-old.
His parents bought a memorial bench for Ryley’s favourite spot on the Dover curve so that they, Ryley’s grandparents and younger brother Dexter had somewhere to go to feel closer to him.
The Dover family say they visit the bench by the seafront often to think, laugh, cry, talk and remember their special teen.
But grateful for how much Ryley’s bench is helping him through an extremely difficult time, 12-year-old Dexter decided he wanted to raise money for those unable to afford their own bench and plaque for a loved one.
Inspired by the London to Brighton bike ride, and while still grieving the loss of his brother, Dexter covered a grueling 54 miles along Dover seafront to Ryley’s bench and back earlier this year.
He has now raised almost £4,000 to help other families pay for their own memorial – earning him this year’s Young Fundraiser award.
John Pond, Young Volunteer or Fundraiser of the Year
In 2021, 14-year-old John, who is autistic and suffers with severe anxiety and hypermobility, tried to take his own life following a long period of bullying.
But three years later the Broastairs teenager – judges were told – is turning a corner and using his own experiences to help others his age.
Alongside fundraising for various charities – efforts which have so far raised more than £4,000 – John gives his lunch breaks to his role as a school anti-bullying ambassador. He has even launched his own range of t-shirts!
Described as the ‘definition of resilience’, host Charlotte told Friday’s presentation, that the teen promotes pro-autism, self-love and individuality to help children with various neurological disorders in their own battle for self-acceptance.
“We know he is going to go on to do great things” she added.
Emerge Advocacy, Outstanding Charity
Young people, aged between 10 and 25, admitted to A&E because they self harm or are suicidal may come into contact with members of this year’s winning charity Emerge.
The organisation runs hospital projects in Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, at Darent Valley, Medway and Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup to offer crucial support to young people – often late at night or early in the morning – providing a safe, supportive space during their very lowest time.
Emerge can also provide up to three months support after a hospital discharge to make sure young patients settle and have support on hand while other help begins to take effect.
The presence of passionate staff and volunteers, heard judges, can help reduce young people’s anxiety and reassure them ‘that there is hope’.
Samuel Hopkins, Young Hero of the Year
Last October Samuel was watching TV at home when a new vacuum cleaner in the corner of the room burst into flames.
With his mum and brother upstairs, Samuel ran to call them, and using fire safety advice from school told them both to keep low and not breathe in the thick, black smoke that engulfed the house within minutes.
While his mum called the fire brigade the youngster, from Chartham, knocked at neighbours to alert them.
While Samuel and his family still haven’t been able to return to their home they say without his quick-thinking actions ‘it could have been so much worse’.
