Last night, the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2024 officially took flight with a dazzling event at Banyan in City Square. The star-studded affair attracted sporting legends like Rob Burrow CBE, Leeds Rhinos players Rhyse Martin and Ash Handley, and former LUFC star Brian Deane, alongside other notable personalities such as Natalie Anderson, Rachel Woolford, Dixie from Heart Yorkshire radio, and local entrepreneur Terry George.
Embraced by the warmth of community support, the event heralded the start of a remarkable journey towards the grand awards ceremony on October 18th at Leeds’ New Dock Hall. The beloved Yorkshire TV presenter, Christine Talbot, shared her excitement, expressing how hosting the awards has become a cherished tradition, filled with awe-inspiring stories and heartwarming moments.
Christine enthused, “I’ve hosted the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards for several years now, and it is always one of the most special ceremonies of the year. I’m blown away every time by the amazing young winners and their stories. It’s always a spectacular, inspirational, and uplifting event. I can’t wait to be back this year.”
Now in its 12th year, the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards continues to be a beacon of hope and resilience, raising funds for the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation. Ewan Dowes, Chairman of YCCA, reflected on the profound impact of the event, highlighting last year’s astonishing £100,000 raised for local charities, matched generously by St. James’s Place.
Ewan shared, “Last year, through the generosity of those who attended, we raised an amazing £100,000 (with matching from St. James’s Place) for the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation. This is then distributed through the grants programme to help many local charities across the Yorkshire region. We hope to raise another fantastic amount at this year’s awards.”
As anticipation builds for the main event in October, organisers aim to welcome up to 800 guests, celebrating the bravery of children and young adults across Yorkshire. Core Telecom Ltd. returns as the headline sponsor, affirming their commitment to supporting brighter futures and heartfelt dreams.
Core Telecom Ltd. CEO Mahmood Mahzar said, “We are proud to have played our part in such a great event and continue to support such a great charity. Here’s to more smiles, dreams, and brighter futures ahead!”
The unique launch at Banyan treated guests to a vibrant ambience, complete with live entertainment, delectable canapés, and touching encounters with past winners like Maya Burrow, whose inspiring journey embodies the spirit of courage and compassion.
Maya shared, “It was a great honour and privilege for Macy and me to receive the Young Carer Award at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2023. It was a night that we will remember forever. We were lucky to meet many courageous children and hear their incredible stories. It made us feel proud to be from Yorkshire.”
To nominate deserving individuals, explore this year’s categories, and learn how to make a difference, visit www.yorkshirechildren.co.uk and join the journey of uplifting lives and spreading smiles across Yorkshire.
