Children's Champions 2009

MEDICAL AWARD

OUR Medical Award honours any health worker who's done miracles for kids. It may be a surgeon, a nurse, a GP, a home visitor, a hospital cleaner-the list of possible Champs is endless.

POST OFFICE ® AWARD

THIS award is particularly supported by the Post Office® for one of their colleagues who really delivers for kids. Maybe he or she is the postie you see every day, or a terrific member of a Post Office® team, perhaps the person who brings you your parcels or, in a sorting office, the one who goes the extra mile so that kids' scrawled envelopes get to the right address.

999 AWARD

THIS award recognises any police officer, fire or ambulance crews, or any emergency services member who works hard for kids. Maybe they saved your child's life when all hope was lost.

CHILDREN'S AWARD

OUR Children's Award is for a youngster, aged 16 or under, who helps other young people, perhaps by example, maybe through fundraising or by caring heroically for other kids in the family. We welcome all examples of young Champs.

SCHOOLS AWARD

OUR Schools Award is for someone who works tirelessly against all the odds to make your kids' school life better - anyone from the tireless cleaner to a special teacher, from lollipop lady to headmaster.

SPORTS AWARD

As we move towards the 2012 London Olympics, this recognises inspirational people who dedicate their lives to helping young people in grassroots sport.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

THE Individual Award is for ANY member of the public who has provided outstanding help to children in general. Previous winners, for example, have included a brilliant foster mum and a lady who protects abused youngsters. The judges also reserve the right to make extra awards at their discretion.

And finally, if you want to know more about the News of the World, Barnardo's, the Post Office® and its charity work or The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall, just click on any of the icons below:



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Night of celebs JAYNE TORVILLE: "Children's Champions is such an fantastic cause and I've met some amazing people tonight. I was particularly touched by the story of Children's Award winner Cameron Small because he has this rare medical condition but still puts himself before others. He might be only ten but he's probably as close to a hero as you'll ever meet. I've laughed and cried all night long, but I'm so glad that I came." PAUL O'GRADY: "I've had such a fabulous time meeting all these incredible people. When you get involved with something like Children's Champions, it is really heart-warming to see how much good there is out there in the world. These people are the real heroes and these should be the people that we all look up to, and not some celebrity. They truly deserve to enjoy tonight because they are honestly a great bunch of guys. I've met them all and I couldn't pick an overall winner because they are all winners tonight." CAMILLA DALLERUP "What an incredible and emotional night. I'm so glad that I came to support such an incredible cause and to see how much the winners have enjoyed the day is so heart-warming. I've been on my feet for standing ovations more times than I can remember at any ceremony I've been to. I'll remember tonight for a long, long time." LOUISA LYTTON "I've supported Children's Champions for a few years now and every year it presses home just how important these awards are. We need things like this to recognise the amazing achievements of people throughout the country because these unsung heroes should be cheered from the rooftops. I think the Schools Award particularly touched me because I know exactly what the winner Emma-Jane Cross was talking about. When she read out a long list of people of people affected by bullying I knew that she was going to end it with the comment that they'd all committed suicide. "Everyone on my table was shocked, but I know that bullying is a problem that needs to be tackled harder. I was bullied at school quite badly so I know how bad it can get and how low people can sink when they are actually getting bullied. Emma-Jane is just a ray of sunshine in so many children's lives. I am really proud to be associated with Children's Champions." THEO WALCOTT "I've met some brilliant people tonight and their stories are something I take a lot strength from. I said to all the guys who asked for my autograph that they could only have it if they gave me their autograph in return.” ANTHONY COSTA "It's been a very emotional night for me and I've been humbled by the whole thing. Each of the stories have been special in its own way so I couldn't pick one that has touched me more than the other. The News of the World has done something very special here tonight and I am proud to come along and support it." ROSS KEMP "It is so humbling to meet these people who think nothing of giving up all their free time to make the lives of children better. Every celeb here has been left speechless in awe of their stories - and quite rightly so. It’s just been a fantastic night." NIKKI SANDERSON "This is the third year I've been to the Children’s Champions awards and every time I'm left crying in astonishment. I'm so glad to be even the smallest part of such a special day for these people. I think the work of Emma-Jane Cross is amazing. I was bullied at school, the only thing I looked forward to was drama club on a Saturday which was my only release. I know how hard life is for kids that get bullied, and she totally deserves that award." FARYL SMITH "To be asked to sing tonight at the champagne reception was an honour. The thing that impressed me most though was hearing the stories of Cameron Small and Paul Leonard. They're only a few of years younger than me and their bravery is amazing. Going to Downing Street with the winners was amazing too.” MELINDA MESSENGER "It's been such a brilliant night. You sit here and listen to the stories and just think 'Wow! What these people are doing is absolutely incredible'. It makes you think about what is important in life. I feel really inspired being here tonight. It makes you want to go out and do something important, and the most important thing you can do is help other people, especially children." GEORGE SAMPSON "I am having a really good time. I always like going to things that celebrate people who are doing something positive to make the world a better place. Then it's not just a good night out, but a good night out that actually means something. Children’s Champions fits that bill perfectly - it’s brilliant.”	Help Barnardo's SINCE the start of Children's Champions, our charity partners have been Barnardo's, one of Britain's leading children's charities. If you want to find out lots more about them, click on their logo, below: At the bottom of this page, there's also a link to a part of their website that accepts donations, if you wish to make one. Of every £1 donated, 94p goes directly to Barnardo's services. Barnardo's works with more than 100,000 children, young people and their families in 383 specialised projects in local communities across the UK. They believe in the potential of every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Barnardo's will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child. They do this through a range of services across the UK such as their training and education centres, their schools and family group conferences, and through campaigning on their behalf. To get some idea of the level of understanding Barnardo's bring to difficult situations, just click on the image above and you'll run a short film of an angry teenager who just wants to be told she is worth something. If you click on the screen during her rant, a voiceover translates what she is actually trying to say ...if only someone would listen. Barnardo’s work with some of the most vulnerable children and young people to help them transform their lives and fulfil their potential. Often the children they work with are stuck in a vicious cycle of deprivation, exclusion from school and domestic abuse, and this can lead some children down a path of criminal behaviour and substance misuse. Barnardo's help break this vicious cycle by getting stuck in with practical solutions - and never giving up. A spokesman said: ''We know we can turn lives around because we've been doing this for children since 1866.'' Royal Mail Group and Barnardo's have a unique partnership. Royal Mail staff voted overwhelmingly to make Barnardo's their charity partners - and the logo we use here, and on all our Children's Champions website pages, reflects the close link that exists between them. Royal Mail Group and Barnardo's were the News of the World's partners for our 2008 Awards. One of those awards was won by Mark Harrison who runs two busy Post Offices and still finds time to run his local swimming club. He received his trophy from England manager Fabio Capello. Barnardo’s is often the last hope for children - and needs your help. You can be a children’s champion by donating your time or money to support them. If you'd like to do this, click here to DONATE NOW and find out how.	Nominations for Children's Champions Awards have now closed. But as a reminder, here are the categories... MEDICAL AWARD OUR Medical Award honours any health worker who's done miracles for kids. It may be a surgeon, a nurse, a GP, a home visitor, a hospital cleaner-the list of possible Champs is endless. POST OFFICE ® AWARD THIS award is particularly supported by the Post Office® for one of their colleagues who really delivers for kids. Maybe he or she is the postie you see every day, or a terrific member of a Post Office® team, perhaps the person who brings you your parcels or, in a sorting office, the one who goes the extra mile so that kids' scrawled envelopes get to the right address. 999 AWARD THIS award recognises any police officer, fire or ambulance crews, or any emergency services member who works hard for kids. Maybe they saved your child's life when all hope was lost. CHILDREN'S AWARD OUR Children's Award is for a youngster, aged 16 or under, who helps other young people, perhaps by example, maybe through fundraising or by caring heroically for other kids in the family. We welcome all examples of young Champs. SCHOOLS AWARD OUR Schools Award is for someone who works tirelessly against all the odds to make your kids' school life better - anyone from the tireless cleaner to a special teacher, from lollipop lady to headmaster. SPORTS AWARD As we move towards the 2012 London Olympics, this recognises inspirational people who dedicate their lives to helping young people in grassroots sport. INDIVIDUAL AWARD THE Individual Award is for ANY member of the public who has provided outstanding help to children in general. Previous winners, for example, have included a brilliant foster mum and a lady who protects abused youngsters. The judges also reserve the right to make extra awards at their discretion. And finally, if you want to know more about the News of the World, Barnardo's, the Post Office® and its charity work or The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall, just click on any of the icons below:

Help Barnardo's