YorkMix Hero Awards – Meet the finalists for The Incredible Child Award

Here are some truly amazing children – as it’s time to celebrate our Incredible Child Award finalists.

We wanted to hear nominations for children who have gone above and beyond over the past 18 months.

But we still need your help! Head over to the YorkMix Hero Awards page to vote in our People’s Choice Award – which shortlisted organisation do you think deserves to be recognised?

Keep reading to meet our fantastic finalists…

The Incredible Child Award is sponsored by Fancy Dance Shop.

The Hero Awards ceremony will take place at the Principal York on Friday 8 October.

With thanks to our awards supporters!

Meet the finalists…

William Rhodes

William, 12, was born with a rare condition called Diamond Blackfan Anaemia – a form of bone marrow failure. His illness means he needs a blood transfusion every three weeks to survive.

William has now received over 200 life-saving transfusions – thanks to all the incredible blood donors out there.

One person who nominated William said, “He really doesn’t realise how brave and amazing he is, despite his daily struggles he never really complains.

“He never gives up – he is a true inspiration to many people he knows.”

William and his family have been supported by the DBA UK charity since he was one. William has helped to raise in excess of £8,000 for the charity over the last few years.

For example, he did a sponsored skip with his sister – one of many fundraisers.

“His strength and courage really does amaze me – he is such a special boy.”

Bella Fennell

Over lockdown, Bella ran a campaign called ‘Bella’s Bin It Campaign’ – which encouraged people to be more green to combat climate change.

Every week since the beginning of January, Bella would go out on a litter pick and encourage others to get involved in Selby and Thorpe Willoughby.

Often there would be over 20 bags of picked litter each week which would then be recycled – all down to Bella’s efforts.

Someone who nominated Bella said she is “a true young inspiration.”

Roxy Hurst

Twelve-year-old Roxy has been lifting the spirits of Rufforth with her lovely voice.

Roxy sings for the charities SASH and Cancer Research Relay for Life – as none of their events were able to go ahead due to Covid-19, Roxy put on two concerts in her neighbourhood.

The concerts raised over £1000, and Roxy wanted the money to go on food parcels for the nurses at York Hospital.

One person who nominated Roxy said, “A lot of our neighbours are elderly and live alone so it was lovely for them to sit in their gardens, listen to Roxy sing and see other people.”

For a neighbour’s 95th birthday, Roxy sang a couple of songs for him to celebrate his special day.

Congratulations to all of our finalists!

The winner of The Incredible Child Award will be revealed in our Hero Awards ceremony at the Principal York on 8th October.

A big thank you to all our awards sponsors.