Celebrating the Amazing Women of 2025 with woman&home
We are proud to announce our sponsorship of this year’s Amazing Women Awards by woman&home, championing women who are making an extraordinary impact on their community and beyond.
Now in its third year, the awards celebrate 10 outstanding women across various categories, from science and business to community action and the arts. The issue is on sale from 28 August 2025 and shares the inspiring stories of these trailblazers.
This year's awards are extra special as we shine a light on the incredible impact of NHS charities—and the amazing people who make it all possible.
Our CEO, Ellie Orton OBE, said:
“It has been really inspiring to be part of this year’s Amazing Women Awards. At NHS Charities Together, we see every day how one person’s dedication can transform lives - whether you’re a frontline NHS worker, a community first responder, or a passionate charity fundraiser.
“That’s why we’re so proud to support the woman&home team in shining a light on all these remarkable women and celebrating their extraordinary achievements.”
Meet Judy
Judy Dewinter is the chair of the Royal Free Charity, the NHS charity partner of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. She won NHS Charities Together’s ‘Charity Champion’ award.
At the age of 33, Judy was diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, and given 18 months to live. She left her distinguished career in the stock market and put her business expertise to good use by improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Judy has chaired the Royal Free Charity’s board of trustees since 2019. In her time there she has acquired the UK’s first total-body PET-CT scanner, provided seed funding for a new NHS clinical research facility, and delivered a £62million project to build a home for Europe’s leading centre for immune system research.
When asked what it means to be part of the NHS charity sector, she said:
"NHS charities go beyond the limitations of NHS funding to provide services, equipment, and research that would otherwise not be available. Being part of this sector allows me to apply my experience, both as a long-term patient and a business leader, to shape strategic, high-impact initiatives that improve outcomes for patients and staff. I take pride in helping our donors feel confident that their investment drives meaningful, lasting change."
This year’s honourees include (in order of appearance):
Sports Supremo: Sophia Warner, an athlete, Paralympian and founder of the Superhero Series, a programme of sports events tailored for disabled people.
Children’s Cheerleader: Jessica Bondy, founder and trustee of Words Matter, a charity working to prevent verbal abuse of children by adults.
Community Hero: Kaddy Thomas, founder of Carers Collective, providing community, connection and resources to unpaid carers.
Business Inspiration: Jane Knight, founder of Successful Mums Career Academy, which helps women return to the workforce.
Celebrity Doing Good: Giovanna Fletcher, an actor, author and podcaster who has raised over £6.5m for the breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!
Science Pioneer: Dr. Ceri Lewis, associate professor in Marine Biology at the University of Exeter, and an expert on biodiversity.
Charity Champion: Judy Dewinter, chair of the Royal Free Charity’s board of trustees, recognised for redefining charitable work to advance patient care and research. This category is sponsored by NHS Charities Together.
Arts Ambassador: YolanDa Brown, an award-winning saxophonist, composer and broadcaster.
Environmental Gamechanger: Alison Westwood, co-founder of Baobab Bach, which tackles food poverty and food waste in South Wales.
Animal Welfare Wonder: Sarah Carr, CEO of Naturewatch Foundation, dedicated to improving animal welfare standards in the UK and worldwide.
