This year was the fifth year of having these awards and it was our pleasure to gather virtually for an Awards Ceremony last week, with the Demain family and our finalists, to announce the Winners and those Highly Commended.
So, without further a-do…
The Under 16s category was won by Quinn Whamond (aged 10), Daniel Greenwood (aged 13) and Bertie Steptoe (aged 6) being Highly Commended. The Overs category was won by Emily Ellerby-Hunt (aged 20), Jack Angell (aged 18) and Helena Wakefield (aged 25) being Highly Commended.
Finally, our Lifetime Awareness Awards were won by Mark & Roo of 'Hometown Barbers' (both aged 29) and JJ Smith (aged 11).
Congratulations to all those nominated and especially our finalists, we could not be prouder!
Quinn has been poorly with his Crohn's for the last 3 years and has shown incredible courage and strength to keep positive. He is always thinking of others and how he can help. He decided to raise money by doing a virtual game of "hot potato" with his friends and family, his school really got behind him and it was an incredible success raising £1,820. Check out the video, here.
I feel really proud and pleased so many people got involved.
Quinn
Under 16's Winner
Emily is part of this year's London Marathon team and has raised almost £2,500 so far. She held 'Purple t-shirt weekends' at the two Caffe Nero's she works for, sparking conversations with customers and fundraised with our collection tin. She held a successful quiz evening and raffle too and has grown in confidence to speak about her Colitis which is just amazing.
Crohn's & Colitis UK have been an incredible support to me, both when I was new in my diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis and more recently and regularly when I've been struggling with the disease. I am so grateful to represent and continue to fundraise for such a fantastic charity.
Emily
16-29 years old Winner
JJ started a vlog on his Facebook to raise awareness of these conditions and recently reviewed our 'Crohn's and Colitis Cat' children's book. He is a serial fundraiser too; from stalls at local fetes to sponsored 'spar-athons' between martial arts clubs, and from dressing up as a poo to a local carnival to getting involved in 'Go Purple.' He's an absolute inspiration.
Being the winner of the Lifetime Awareness Award is an amazing achievement and I am really excited to have won it. It was a fantastic night and I was proud to be among the award winners. I love fundraising for Crohn's & Colitis UK it makes me feel happy to think my fundraising might help people like me
JJ
Lifetime Awarness Award Winner
Mark & Roo own a barbershop in Aberdeen called 'Hometown Barbers' and were inspired to apply for London Marathon places by their client Paul who has Crohn's and is an avid runner. They were successful in securing their place and immediately took to social media to raise awareness and funds. They have raised over £6,000, over half of which was raised during a "24-hour Cutathon" where they cut hair for 24 hours straight - incredible stuff.
It was so good to hear everyone's stories and to hear about Alex Demain who this is all about. It's just good to be a part of something, especially in these times, people help people, and it has given us purpose. We want to help more people and if we can use our business to help people with Crohn's or Colitis, that's amazing. Why not!
Mark & Roo
Lifetime Awareness Award Winner
For more information on all of our wonderful finalists and their fantastic accomplishments, check out our recent Facebook Post and keep an eye out on our Twitter too.
