Nominations open for Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards

Nominations for this year’s Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards are open, giving everyone the chance to celebrate the UK’s unsung young heroes.

Now in its eleventh year, this annual event – sponsored by Canon - rewards selfless acts by young people, and groups, aged 25 or under, with awards in four categories: community action, first aid, fundraising and volunteering.

After the huge success of last year’s photography competition, which saw a host of creative and inspiring images from young people, it continues this year with the theme of ‘Celebrating your community’. The competition will be launched in July and will close for submissions on the 20th of September.

Gary Mountain, awards coordinator at the British Red Cross, says: “The Humanitarian Citizen awards are so important because they recognise the amazing things that young people can achieve. So if you know an inspiring young hero who hasn’t had the spotlight shone on them, please nominate them now.”

“This is Canon’s 10th consecutive year of sponsoring the Humanitarian Citizen Awards - an initiative we are extremely proud to support” said Bob Pickles, Head of Corporate & Government Affairs at Canon UK and Ireland. “Every year, it is immensely inspiring to see the remarkable accomplishments of young people across the UK and we look forward to celebrating these successes again this year.”

Last year’s overall winner was brave first-aider Jess Bradley, from Shetland. The 21-year-old used her first aid skills to help a man with a stab injury in his neck – and medics later said the casualty might have died without her swift help.

Other inspiring winners included Laura May, from Chorley, who has worked tirelessly to help people adapt to life after spinal cord injuries and Charlotte Wealthy, from the Wirral, who helped create a special app that supports young people during moments of crisis, and reduces stigma around mental health.

Meanwhile, Daniel Redhead, a student from Sheffield, was recognised for his extraordinary fundraising efforts after raising a fantastic £50,000 for blood cancer charity, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Nominations can be made at www.redcross.org.uk/theaward, until Sunday 2 August and young people do not need any connection to the Red Cross to be nominated for an award. The full list of winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on the 24th of November.