Eleven extraordinary young people and a children’s charity have been celebrated for their remarkable bravery and resilience at the prestigious Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2025 (YCCA).
Held on 10th October at New Dock Hall in Leeds, the star-studded event raised a record-breaking total of over £100,000 with matching from St James’ Place and welcomed over 500 guests and celebrities, who came together to honour some of the region’s most inspiring children and young people.
Founded in 2011 by the St. James’s Place (SJP) Charitable Foundation, the awards have become a highly anticipated event in Yorkshire’s social calendar. It not only highlights the courage of the region’s young people but also raises essential funds for hundreds of charities throughout the region.
This year’s event had a ‘Neon Jungle’ theme with guests treated to colourful and extravagant décor, spectacular entertainment and musical performances. Among the attendees were a host of familiar faces, including Leeds Rhinos’ Ash Hanley and Jamie Jones Buchanan; Coronation Street’s Natalie Anderson; Emmerdale actors Amy Walsh and Ash Palmisciano; and radio presenters Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison.
Hosting the awards for the first time was award winning radio and sports presenter, Rich Williams. Joining him on stage, was Christine Talbot, who returned as co-host for the sixth consecutive year.
Commenting on the event, Williams said: “It has been an absolute honour to host the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards for the first time. The courage and resilience shown by these young people is nothing short of inspiring. The room was filled with so much positivity and pride; it is a night I will never forget.”
The ‘Dare to Dream’ award, introduced in 2024 in memory of the late Rob Burrow, continues to hold a special place in the evening. This year it was awarded to 12-year-old Destiny Hope Hodgson, who despite being born with complex congenital heart disease has excelled in gymnastics on the local and national stage. Destiny’s strength and determination bowled the judges over and made her a worthy winner of the accolade. The award was presented by Rob’s wife Lindsey and their children, Jackson, Macy and Maya.
This year, the ‘Children’s Charity of the Year’ award went to Yorkshire Children’s Charity. Alongside this, moving tributes were paid to all finalists and winners; whose stories embody courage, compassion, and resilience in the face of adversity.
The 2025 Winners List
- Sporting Superstar – Corey Davies
- Fantastic Fundraiser (Age group 0-12) – Henry Connolly
- Fantastic Fundraiser (Age group 13-18) – James Tortice
- Compassionate Carer (Age group 0-12) – Grayson Chafer
- Compassionate Carer (Age group 13-18) – Ellie Hughes
- Beyond Bravery (Age group 0-12) – Ellerie and Albie Carroll
- Beyond Bravery (Age group 13-18) – Lucas Burrows
- Amazing Achievement (Age group 0-11) – Sophia Felgate
- Amazing Achievement (Age group 12-18) – Salam Balde
- Dare to Dream – Destiny-Hope Hodgson
- Children’s Charity of the Year – Yorkshire Children’s Charity
Chair of the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards committee, Ewan Dowes, said: “I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards and to all those that work so hard to make this event happen. We raised an incredible amount which will allow us to continue providing critical funding to charities across Yorkshire, and we are deeply grateful for everyone’s generous contributions.”
The evening’s success was made possible by the generous support of local businesses, including headline sponsor Core Telecom. Owner Mahmood Mazhar said: “It is a true privilege to support and celebrate the achievements of these inspiring children, their families, and their incredible resilience. We are immensely proud to be involved in such a humbling event for the region.”
Since its inception, the SJP Charitable Foundation has supported many Yorkshire charities with their vital work, including Oscar’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. More information about the work of the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation can be found here.