Wards Estate Agents celebrates 21st anniversary of children’s awards at celebrity-packed ceremony
Kent-based independent estate agency celebrates ten incredible young award winners in its 21st year as hosts of the ceremony.
The 21st annual Wards Children’s Awards is a celebration of remarkable children and young people from across Kent who have triumphed over adversity, displayed exceptional courage and made significant contributions to their communities.
The event was hosted by Wards Estate Agents and attended by a number of celebrities including CBeebies star, Phil Gallagher, Mister Maker and ITV Good Morning Britain presenter, Charlotte Hawkins.
There were ten incredible winners, all with unique and awe-inspiring stories. Here is a selection of them:
Exceptional courage
13-year-old Callum Pollard, who won the Young Care award, has to not only look after his brother who has ASD and ADHD, but also his step-dad who has spinal spondylosis.
Dexter Dray was the winner of the Young Fundraiser award. At just 11-years-old he lost his older brother Ryley in a tragic accident. Wanting to help other families cope with their grief, he raised nearly £4000 by cycling fifty-four miles along Dover seafront.
No one should ever have to go through a fraction of what these children have already gone through.”
And the Young Hero of the Year was Samuel Hopkins who, when a fire spontaneously started in his home, kept his cool and guided his family and neighbours to safety.
There were quite a few Courageous Child awards, but 11-year-old Katie Martin has faced more adversity in her short life than most people do in their entire lifetime. She has Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects her entire body and must live with hearing loss, poor vision, autism, Vitiligo, hypermobile joints and a kidney in the wrong place.
She has had a facial tumour, three major cardiac surgeries and a replacement heart valve. Despite it all her mum describes her as “the happiest child you could ever hope to meet.”
Charlotte Hawkins of Wards Children’s Awards told the winners: “No one should ever have to go through a fraction of what you children have already gone through but, in spite of these challenges and adversities, you choose to face every single day with incredible bravery and unwavering courage.”
For more information about the Wards Children’s Awards, please click this link or contact Kate James at [email protected].