Friday 2 October was a very special night for Ascona Group as we returned as headline sponsor of the Child of Wales Awards for the second year in a row.
More than 700 guests gathered at Swansea Building Society Arena for the fifth annual awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of children and young people from across Wales – and raising an impressive £46,000 for Wales Air Ambulance and Big Moose in the process.
Hosted by TV personality Gethin Jones for the fifth consecutive year, the evening brought together award winners and their families with businesses, supporters, celebrities and sporting stars for a night of celebration, entertainment and fundraising.
And while the event was certainly glamorous – with performances from The Brand New Heavies, the Mark Jermin Children's Choir and former Young Performer winner Lucciano Mortimore – the focus remained firmly on the remarkable young people at the heart of the awards.
Fourteen winners were recognised across anumber of categories, each with their own extraordinary story of courage,resilience, determination, kindness or achievement.
There was also a particular sense of pride for Ascona in seeing two winners from Pembrokeshire, where we have our roots: the Guile Family, who received the Courageous Family award, and Haverfordwest's Luca Morrillo, named Young Sporting Hero (under 13).
A personal connection
Darren Briggs, founder and CEO of Ascona Group, joined Gethin Jones on stage during the evening to talk about why the Child of Wales Awards matter to him and to Ascona, and the importance of businesses using their success to make a positive difference in the communities around them.
He also had the opportunity to share the extraordinary story of Rhossi – a story which has already taken Darren and his helicopter on an unusual conservation mission involving a rare sea turtle and his journey home.
It was a fitting story to tell on a night when Wales Air Ambulance, a charity particularly close to Darren's heart, was one of the two beneficiaries.
Darren is the charity's first Business Ambassador for Wales, and Ascona has pledged to raise £1 million for Wales Air Ambulance over 10 years, with more than £450,000 already generated.
A fifth anniversary to remember
Five years after Blanche and Mark Sainsbury created the Child of Wales Awards to shine a light on inspirational young people, it was clear from Friday evening that the event has grown into something much bigger – bringing together businesses, communities, families and supporters from across Wales while giving extraordinary young people a platform for their voices and stories.
For Ascona, being part of that journey for a second year has been a privilege.
Congratulations to all 14 winners and thank you to everyone who helped make Friday night such a memorable celebration.
