On Sunday night, the Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards were shared across screens nationally in a celebration of the UK’s incredible health and care workers.
Hosted by Davina McCall, the event honoured the incredible people that keep our health service running – from cleaners and porters, to nurses, doctors, paramedics and mental health professionals.
The event was attended by VIPs and celebrities including none other than James Corden, Anthony Joshua, Emily Atack, Gary Lineker, Vernon Kay and Bear Grylls.
Katherine Ryan presented Valentina Burnett with the Best Midwife award, saying:
“I love all midwives but every now and then you meet someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty who is transformative and lifesaving.
“She is so strong, I am so impressed by her and her speech and how emotional she is tonight, dedicating her award to those who go above and beyond to take care of you when you are at your most vulnerable.”
As the proud charity partner for the event, NHS Charities Together was also there to pay a special tribute to the wonderful people of the NHS, in this milestone year marking its 75th anniversary.
The wonderful Max Oosman, who you may remember from our event honouring 75 years of service and sacrifice in the health and care workforce even won the Best Nurse award, presented by Gary Lineker.
One of the many other deserving winners was 9 year old Harry Byrne, who won the Young Hero award after raising more than £90,000 for the hospices and charities that looked after his baby brother Reuben, who was born with a complex genetic syndrome and tragically died in his sleep in December 2021.
Harry said:
“I miss Reubear a lot. Even though he couldn’t speak, I knew it made him happy when we were together. Some of the challenges have been hard but Reubear had a much bigger challenge and he didn’t quit. I couldn’t believe it when mum said I was nominated. I don’t do anything special – Reuben and Olivia are the heroes, not me.”
Other winners include former Spurs player Allan Cockram who won the Unsung Hero award, presented by Sir Keir Starmer and Myleene Klass, for giving up his time to run the Brentford Penguins – the UK’s only football team for children with Down’s syndrome.
Allan said:
“It’s not like most clubs. I don’t know who is turning up each week because anything can happen that morning that means kids can’t come. Maybe they haven’t slept all night, maybe their routine has changed and it’s affected them. They all know anything goes at the Penguins and we’ll give a great session to anyone who turns up. Sometimes the kids want to train, sometimes they’re happy just socialising with everyone. Anything goes and everyone’s welcome.”
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said:
“We were delighted to be the Who Cares Wins’ Awards official charity partner for another year, particularly in a year marking 75 years of our beloved NHS.
“We all have reasons to thank the NHS, and these Awards give us an opportunity to honour the vital role the workforce plays in all our lives. It was such a heartfelt and emotional night for everyone, because it’s so important to be able to give these teams and individuals the recognition they deserve. We hope you enjoyed watching at home, and we look forward to next year.”
The full list of the winners at the Awards are:
- Best Doctor: Dr Nicola Cable
- Best Midwife: Valentina Burnett
- Best Team: The Welsh Ambulance ‘Wish’ Service
- Best Nurse: Max Oosman
- Best Health Charity: Love, Amelia
- Unsung Hero: Allan Cockram
- Young Hero: Harry Byrne
- Mental Health Hero: Amandip Sidhu
- 999 Hero: Dr Benjamin Marriage, Chris Doyle and Kevin Cuddon
- The Sun’s Christina Newbury Memorial award: The Windrush Generation contribution to the NHS
- The National Lottery’s Local Health Hero: Liz Curtis, The Lily Foundation
Learn more about how we support the NHS workforce here.
Cover Photo Credit: The Sun
