On Tuesday night, NHS Charities Together was the proud charity partner of the Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards for the third year running, in a milestone year marking the NHS’ 75th anniversary.

As the national charity caring for the NHS, the Who Cares Wins Awards give us another opportunity to celebrate everything that’s so special about the health service, and recognise the amazing contribution the workforce makes to all our lives.

The remarkable Dr Benjamin Marriage, Chris Doyle and Kevin Cuddon from London’s Air Ambulance Charity were presented with the 999 Hero award by James Corden. They were nominated thanks to their life-saving treatment when mum-of-two Sarah De Lagarde fell onto the track and was hit by two Tube trains.

On stage Doctor Benjamin said:

“We would like to dedicate this award both to Sarah and everyone else involved in trauma care.”

Advanced paramedic Kevin said:

“Thank you so much for this amazing privilege, to receive this honour, we want to say a big thanks to everyone involved to get us here today.”

Sarah was on her way home from work when the accident happened in September 2022. After slipping on the wet Tube platform, Sarah fell against the carriage and then down between the train and the platform.

After being crushed by two trains, someone spotted Sarah and raised the alarm and a crew from London’s Air Ambulance Charity was called.

Paramedic Kevin helped rescue Sarah from under the train and the team applied tourniquets on both limbs. She was then taken by London’s Air Ambulance emergency response car to the Royal London Hospital. Surgeons later amputated both her right arm and leg.

Sarah said:

“Thanks to them I am able to watch my children grow up.”

The annual Who Cares Wins Awards were set up in 2017 as a way for readers to celebrate their NHS and everyday healthcare heroes, after being pioneered by The Sun’s late Health Editor Christina Newbury.

NHS Charities Together’s Chief Executive, Ellie Orton OBE, sits as a judge on the panel.

Commenting at the event, Ellie said:

“We want to congratulate Dr Benjamin Marriage, Chris Doyle and Kevin Cuddon on winning the 999 Hero award. Their lifesaving achievements are extraordinary, and this recognition – as with all tonight’s winner’s and nominees – is so truly deserved.

“Over the past 75 years, the NHS has had such a profound impact globally, and it would be nothing without its people. I feel incredibly privileged to be a judge once again, and be part of this brilliant celebration of our health service and those who make it what it is.”

The full list of categories at the Awards are:

• Best Doctor – an NHS doctor – GP, hospital doctor or consultant
• Best Midwife – an NHS midwife who has provided great care for a woman or her baby
• Best Team – any NHS or healthcare team on the frontline and behind the scenes that has gone above and beyond the call of duty
• Best Nurse – an NHS nurse in any field
• Best Health Charity – a health charity which has helped you or a loved one
• Unsung Hero – do you know a friend or a person who gives up their time to volunteer at a health charity, hospital, hospice or similar?
• Young Hero – it could be a carer or a campaigner or something else. Open to anyone under the age of 18
• Mental Health Hero – for significant contribution to mental health
• 999 Hero – an emergency services worker, team or member of the public performed an emergency rescue, operation or similar

You can find out who won by watching the ceremony, hosted by Davina McCall, at 6.30pm on Channel 4 on Sunday 24th September.

Cover Photo Credit: The Sun