The WellChild Award winners for this year have been praised by the Duke of Sussex, who said, “Congratulations you little legends!” in collaboration with GSK.
A day before the yearly event, Prince Harry, 40, who had flown in from California, complimented the parents of the courageous children as well, stating, “As a parent, I know a little about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting!
“However, I am genuinely amazed by the amount of care that many of you parents, siblings, and other family members give; the degree of 24-hour care that you give; the skills you’ve had to acquire; and the struggles you fight every day for support.
“You are all incredible, and your love and dedication are nothing short of heroic.”
At the star-studded event in the ballroom of the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London, Prince Harry gave a passionate and moving speech to the winners and guests, telling the children and young people being recognized: “I salute you.” We give you our salute. I appreciate your bravery, tenacity, kindness, and, of course, sense of humor. And I want to thank you for being who you are, inspiring everyone around you.
Next year will be WellChild’s 20th anniversary, and Harry has supported the organization for 16 years.
“The WellChild Awards is an event that never fails to inspire me,” he said to the attendees. The inspirational tales of young people overcoming adversity and leading hectic lives full of doctor visits, hospital stays, and endless appointments serve as a constant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
The young people I meet seem to always have a smile on their faces and seem to bring warmth and positivity into every room they enter, even though for many of us, this is an everyday reality that is almost unimaginable. Thus, remain true to who you are. This is something you can handle. And you’re with us.”
At that point, a shout went up from the crowd, “We’ve got you too.”
As the charity’s patron, Harry expressed his “immense pride” in doing so, stating that it has helped over 7,000 children and young adults with complex medical needs and avoided over 12,000 readmissions to hospitals.
“This work has the potential to change lives,” he continued.
Beverley Knight and Pixie Lott performed, and notable guests included Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Lady Penny, Julia Bradbury, Oti Mabuse, and rapper KSI. The event was hosted by TV presenter Gaby Roslin.
Diners included explorer Levison Wood, Olympians Helen Glover, Tom Dean, and Becky Downie, as well as broadcasters Kate Garraway, Andrea McLean, Charlotte Hawkins, and Myleene Klass.
HI! was present to see all of the touching moments, and five years after their initial meeting at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Harry was reunited with his mother Tracy and six-year-old Noah Nicholson prior to the ceremony.
The child was very animated as he threw soft toys at Harry and grabbed him by the beard. Admiring a photo taken at their first meeting in 2019, Harry noticed that Noah had “Raffy,” the same plush giraffe that was tucked under a cozy blanket, in his arms.
Is this the identical one? No way, he exclaimed. Every parent possesses an extra. I have a minimum of six extra.
He went on, “My daughter Lili has these Lovies.”
“You are so naughty!” Noah joked as he threw “Raffy” and a white cat toy named George toward the Duke.
As they carried on their playful banter, he wished Tracy luck.
“I’m so proud of Noah,” said Grimsby, Lincolnshire resident Tracy. More than pleased. It has immense meaning. He experiences excruciating pain all day, every day. Nevertheless, he brightens every room he enters in spite of everything that has happened to him.”
At just two pounds at birth, prematurely born at 27 weeks, Noah has undergone 28 surgeries, 14 of which have been life-saving.
He suffers from cerebral palsy, short bowel disease, chronic lung disease, and other severe health conditions that need for ongoing medical attention and cause him pain.
Noah received recognition for “his courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit,” which have led him to raise money for the hospitals and charities that assist him as well as to provide gifts for other hospitalized children.