Margot is a remarkable six-year-old with a vibrant personality and a love of One Direction, musicals, and performing shows for her family. Born in September 2019, her life changed dramatically at just 20 months old when she suffered a catastrophic ruptured AVM, causing a severe brain bleed and stroke. Against overwhelming odds, she survived cardiac and respiratory arrest and began an extraordinary journey of recovery.

As a result of her acquired brain injury, Margot now lives with multiple complex conditions, including epilepsy, dystonia, hemiplegia, cortical visual impairment, global developmental delay, and sensory processing difficulties. She uses a wheelchair and splints, requires constant support with daily living and safety, and follows a carefully managed routine to help prevent fatigue and worsening symptoms. Her care involves around 35 medical specialists, alongside regular hospital appointments and therapy sessions.

Despite these challenges, Margot’s resilience shines through every day. She has worked tirelessly to relearn how to move, communicate, and engage with the world around her. Supported by specialist education, therapies, community organisations, and adaptive activities such as horse riding, she continues to build confidence, skills, and independence.

Margot’s favourite phrase, “Mummy, I do it myself,” perfectly captures her spirit. Whether learning a new skill or tackling daily challenges, she approaches life with courage, positivity, and an infectious smile, inspiring everyone around her.

Will is a remarkable ten-year-old whose resilience, determination and positivity inspire everyone around him. A passionate sports fan, he loves wheelchair rugby, basketball, swimming and karate. He is also a devoted Sunderland supporter, a keen Xbox gamer and a huge fan of WWE wrestling.

From an early age, Will has faced extraordinary challenges. Born with a leg deformity, he is a full-time wheelchair user. He also lives with Crouzon syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting facial development and breathing, alongside a painful skin condition requiring daily care. He also manages hearing impairment and ADHD.

In 2025, Will underwent a major craniofacial operation involving a halo frame and full-face advancement. Despite the physical and emotional impact of the surgery, he showed courage, leaving hospital earlier than expected and adapting to significant changes in his appearance.

What truly sets Will apart is the way he refuses to let challenges limit his ambitions. During recovery, he continued to pursue his love of sport, earning a brown belt in karate, captaining his wheelchair rugby team to national victory, and being named junior rugby player and swimmer of the year. He also raises awareness of disability sport, supports charities through fundraising and encourages other disabled children to believe in what is possible.

Will’s courage, leadership and enthusiasm make him an inspiration to all who know him.

Sofia is an extraordinary twelve-year-old whose courage, determination and generosity inspire everyone around her. Creative and caring, she loves writing stories, helping others, spending time with animals and listening to her favourite band, Metallica.

From the beginning, Sofia has faced exceptional challenges. After suffering a stroke at birth, she was not expected to survive. She now lives with multiple lifelong conditions, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dystonia, visual impairment, scoliosis, autism spectrum disorder and significant learning difficulties. Sofia attends the Royal School for the Blind and requires full-time one-to-one support. Her daily life involves frequent hospital appointments, physiotherapy, medication management and surgeries. Despite a deep fear of hospitals following early trauma, she continues to face treatment with courage.

What sets Sofia apart is her determination to help others. Against all expectations, she learned to walk and talk, and through everything she has experienced has developed compassion beyond her years. When she realised disabled children are often excluded from activities and opportunities, Sofia found her voice, writing to the Prime Minister and the King to campaign for inclusion. She also fundraises for childhood stroke survivors and saves her pocket money to buy Christmas presents for children in hospital, delivering them with handwritten messages of kindness.

Sofia’s strength, generosity and resilience shine in everything she does, turning adversity into hope and making the world a kinder place.

Rosanna is an exceptional seventeen-year-old from South Yorkshire whose resilience, determination and advocacy have made a lasting impact on young people across the UK. Rosanna lives with multiple complex conditions, including autism, ADHD, Type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and Irlen’s Syndrome. Managing her health requires constant attention, including insulin pump changes, glucose monitoring and strict dietary control, often disrupting her sleep and daily routine.

Despite these challenges, Rosanna has achieved outstanding academic success while balancing a demanding schedule of medical appointments and treatments. She has a passion for history and psychology, loves playing the piano and reading, and enjoys tennis, escape rooms and exploring new places. At home, she loves spending time with her mum and her three cats and is a huge Doctor Who fan.

What truly sets Rosanna apart is her commitment to improving the lives of others. Drawing on her own experiences, she has become a passionate advocate for children and young people with additional needs. She was motivated by watching her family’s battles to advocate for her young brother Toby who has Down’s Syndrome. As a Children’s Commissioner Ambassador, she has contributed to national discussions on children’s rights and SEND reform, spoken in Parliament, trained judges and worked with the Family Solutions Group to help ensure young voices are heard.

Thoughtful, articulate and compassionate, Rosanna uses her voice to create change, inspiring others and helping build a more inclusive future for children and young people everywhere.

Samira and Naima are remarkable fourteen-year-old twins whose compassion, maturity and dedication make an enormous difference to their family every day. Creative and caring, they enjoy spending time with family and friends. Naima loves drawing, gardening, cooking and video games, while Samira enjoys crafts, puzzles, travelling and learning Russian.

Alongside everyday life, both girls play an extraordinary role at home. Their older sister, Nya, lives with complex medical needs, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, global developmental delay, severe visual impairment and mobility challenges. Nya requires full-time care, uses specialist equipment and is supported by healthcare professionals. From an early age, Samira and Naima have helped care for their sister, providing support, companionship and reassurance.

What truly sets them apart is the selflessness they show in the face of family challenges. Their mother lives with lupus and attends regular dialysis treatment, during which time the twins willingly step up to help ensure Nya feels safe and supported. When Nya underwent surgery to have a PEG fitted, they gave up much of their summer holiday to stay by her side in hospital and support her recovery.

Despite their caring responsibilities, both girls continue to work hard at school and remain positive, kind and dedicated. Quiet heroes, they inspire others through their resilience, compassion and unwavering love for their sister and family.

George is an inspirational fifteen-year-old whose determination, resilience and advocacy have made a lasting impact on the lives of others. Born in August 2011, George lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a rare and progressive neuromuscular condition. He has never been able to walk and relies on a wheelchair, specialist equipment, physiotherapy and occasional overnight ventilation to protect his breathing in winter months. He has undergone major surgeries and attends regular hospital appointments, while continuing to thrive in mainstream education.

Despite these challenges, George embraces every opportunity available to him. A talented student with a passion for maths, science and history, he has achieved his Grade 1 drums, completed his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and has just achieved his grade 4 LAMDA public speaking exam. He also enjoys gaming, music, spending time with family and friends, and caring for his pets.

What truly sets George apart is his commitment to helping others. From a young age, he became a leading voice in the campaign to secure access to life-changing SMA treatments, speaking in the House of Commons and appearing across national media. He is also a passionate advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility, using his experiences to raise awareness and drive positive change.

Articulate, determined and full of humour, George continues to inspire others through his courage, leadership and unwavering belief in what is possible.

Sarah and Carl are exceptional foster carers whose compassion, dedication and expertise have transformed the lives of children with complex medical needs. Since becoming foster carers in 2014, they have opened their hearts and home to five children with significant health challenges, including adopting a child they previously fostered. Today, they continue to care for three children with complex medical needs, providing the stability, security and support that enables them to thrive.

Many of the children who have come into Sarah and Carl’s care have experienced serious illness, lengthy hospital stays, trauma and uncertainty. Through their unwavering commitment, they create a loving family environment where children feel safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential.

What sets Sarah and Carl apart is their determination to ensure that medical complexity never limits opportunity. Sarah, an experienced paediatric nurse, combines clinical expertise with tireless advocacy, working closely with specialist teams to support the children in their care. Together, they adapt their home and routines to meet complex needs while ensuring every child can participate fully in family life.

From attending school and building friendships to celebrating milestones and enjoying family holidays, they are committed to giving every child the opportunities they deserve. Through their selflessness, resilience and dedication, Sarah and Carl provide far more than outstanding care, offering children belonging, hope and the chance to flourish.

Rachel is a passionate nurse who has dedicated her 20-year career to helping children with complex medical needs receive the very best care.

Since becoming a WellChild Nurse in 2015, Rachel has been at the heart of the WellChild Nurse programme, championing collaboration and family-centred care. As The Lead Nurse for Discharge and Complexity at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, she has grown a team of people, who are dedicated to working with children and families with complex health and social care needs. The foundations of this being the first of its kind in the UK.

Over the years, she has played a key role in several WellChild initiatives, helping to shape resources that support families beyond the hospital setting. She contributed to the 10 Principles of Complex Discharge publication and helped create the Better at Home training suite, equipping parents with the skills and confidence to care for their child at home.

Rachel is an enthusiastic ambassador for WellChild, supporting campaigns, conferences and events, and even lending her singing voice to the charity single in 2016. She welcomed fundraiser Andrew to Birmingham during his UK cycle tour and has worked closely with colleagues to develop future initiatives, including the WellChild Nurse Champions programme.

Dedicated and innovative, Rachel has spent more than two decades helping children thrive at home. Her leadership, commitment and passion make her a truly deserving WellChild Award winner.

Rebecca is an outstanding children’s nurse whose compassion, dedication and leadership have made a profound difference to children with complex medical needs and their families. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the theatre, cycling, and country walks.

For more than a decade, Rebecca has cared for some of the most medically fragile children. As a Paediatric Complex Discharge Coordinator Nurse and senior staff nurse in a Paediatric High Dependency Unit, she plays a vital role in helping children transition from hospital to home. Her expertise and determination help families navigate what can often be an overwhelming and emotional journey.

What sets Rebecca apart is her unwavering commitment to supporting the whole family. She consistently goes beyond clinical expectations, helping overcome challenges such as housing difficulties, language barriers as well as liaising with multiple teams around her patients. Through her persistence and creativity, families gain access to safe homes, care packages and the support they need beyond hospital.

Rebecca is equally known for the compassion she shows when outcomes are not as hoped. She organised a special remembrance event for families whose children had passed away, creating a space to celebrate lives, share memories and find comfort together.

Respected by colleagues and trusted by families, Rebecca is a passionate advocate whose kindness, humanity and dedication inspire everyone around her.

Ian Sinha is an outstanding Paediatric Respiratory Consultant, an honorary Professor of child health at the university of Liverpool and an honorary Professor of global child health at the Liverpool school of tropical medicine. His care, compassion and advocacy have had a profound impact on children with complex medical needs and their families. A devoted father, music lover, lifelong Middlesbrough FC supporter and keen guitarist, Ian brings warmth and humanity to every aspect of his work.

For countless families, Ian is much more than a doctor. He provides expert care during some of the most challenging moments of their lives, offering reassurance, practical support and hope when it is needed most. Families describe him as someone who is always present, combining clinical excellence with genuine kindness and empathy. He is also highly regarded for his multidisciplinary approach to care, helping ensure children and families receive coordinated support tailored to their individual needs.

What truly sets Ian apart is his unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of children, both inside and outside the hospital. Alongside his clinical work, he is a passionate advocate for families affected by poverty, poor housing and inequality, using his voice to challenge barriers that impact health outcomes. Despite his national reputation and influence, he remains humble, approachable and deeply trusted by those he serves.

Ian’s kindness, integrity and dedication make him an exceptional clinician, a powerful advocate for children, and an inspiration to colleagues, patients and families alike.

For more information on becoming a sponsor for the WellChild Awards 2026

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Thank you

In addition to all our sponsors, WellChild would like to give special thanks to these generous organisations that donated gifts in kind for this event.

Eurowines | Creed Foodservice | Katherine Rhodes | Captain Fantastic | Meluba | Total Merchandise | EC Awards | Wild thang | Copper & Carlyle | The Party Box | Q Park | Binky | The Entertainer | Betsy Benn | Wicked Uncle | Buckingham Flower Farm | Burgeon Floral Design | VISA | Radish the Magician |
Yoga Studio Store | Poultons Park | Legoland | Pia | Brighton & Hove Albion FC

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