Last year’s WellChild Award winner Dr Richard Chavasse from Reigate has joined national children’s charity, WellChild, in the call for nominations for the 2024 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK. This prestigious annual event celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people and the dedication of those who go that extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.
Last year’s event saw Dr Chavasse, who is a Paediatric Respiratory Consultant at St George’s Hospital, attending a star-studded Awards event at the Hurlingham Club in London where he had the chance to chat with many of the celebrity guests and WellChild supporters as well as WellChild’s patron, Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex.
Dr Richard Chavasse was picked from 100s of nominations from across the UK to win the Doctor Awards category. Dr Chavasse started his consultant post at the paediatric respiratory service at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2010. Since then he has been a fantastic leader, pioneer of innovation and spearheaded significant developments in the service. Colleagues and families whose children in his care for jumped at the chance to nominate Dr Chavasse for a WellChild Award, describing him as an outstanding doctor and colleague who works relentlessly to provide the best possible care for children needing long-term ventilation and support with respiratory problems. Examples of Dr Chavasse’s dedication and selflessness include dropping equipment to a family home when they had challenges coming into hospital and undertaking home visits in his own time to support children and families. He has also raised more than £10,000 for charities through bike rides and has developed and the St George’s Schools Emergency Asthma Bag which has donated an emergency asthma kit to every state school in Wandsworth and Merton with more London schools to follow. He is praised for his kindness and empathy and his determination to listen to children and make them feel important and valued.
WellChild is now calling on people in the region to put forward their nominations for the 2024 WellChild Awards.
Dr Chavasse said:
“The awards evening was an amazing event and to see and hear of the bravery and achievements of the winning children and young people was so inspiring. Personally, as a doctor who has always just tried to do a good job, the nomination itself was an unexpected honour, and not something I’d ever anticipated. To win, and manage to walk on stage without falling over, was a real bonus. It’s really helped raise the profile of our team within the Trust and gave me a real boost to continue working to improve the service we provide. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Guests at the 2023 Awards, in association with global healthcare company GSK, included Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex who is the charity’s patron alongside celebrities such as McFly’s Danny Jones, Emma Willis, Catherine Ryan, Tom Felton, TV presenters Dick and Dom, Gaby Roslin who presented the event and many more.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “The number of children and young people in the UK living with long-term, complex medical needs is growing. The WellChild Awards 2024, in association with GSK, is a unique opportunity to shine a light on the immense challenges they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit. It also provides an opportunity to recognise the selfless dedication of those around them, from siblings and parent carers to the professionals who have gone above and beyond to give them the very best chance to thrive.”
If you know someone who deserves special recognition then nominate them for a WellChild Award by visiting our website at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards.
The closing date for entries is Friday 8th of March, 2024.
There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with serious health needs. The WellChild Awards is a unique opportunity to honour the spirit of these children, young people and the dedication of those that care for them.
Entries for the 2024 Awards will be judged by an expert panel including former winners and child health professionals. Awards will be handed out at this year’s glamorous event in London in 2024.
Categories for nominations are as follows:
· Inspirational Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of four and eighteen who has kept smiling and defied the odds despite living with a long-term serious health condition.
· Inspiration Sibling – A child or young person between the ages of six and eighteen who devotes much of their time and energy freely and lovingly to help and care for a friend or sibling who is living with a serious health condition.
· Nurse – A children’s nurse who goes the extra mile for children and young people with serious health needs.
· Outstanding Professional Award – A professional who has worked above and beyond for children and young people living with serious health needs.
· Parent Carer A parent carer who has gone above and beyond the care they provide for their child(ren) living with serious health needs and/or has contributed to improving support for families, or awareness of the challenges they face.
