LAST year’s WellChild award winner, 22-year-old Dylan Bleach from Clacton-On-Sea, has joined the national children’s charity and its patron Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in the call for people from Essex to enter this year’s awards – with nominations now open.
In association with GSK, the prestigious annual event celebrates the inspirational qualities of some of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people, and the dedication of those who go that extra mile to care for them.
Since 2015, Dylan has evolved from an award-winning young carer into a dedicated WellChild ambassador. He has consistently championed the charity through high-profile appearances, from sharing a festival stage with Pharrell Williams to completing the 2025 London Marathon alongside his father. Despite managing his own cerebral palsy and medical needs, Dylan remains a tireless advocate for the charity and the families it supports.
An aspiring TV presenter, Dylan recently played a central role in the 20th anniversary WellChild Awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel. Beyond hosting the ceremony and interviewing celebrities like Dr. Ranj and Suzanne Shaw, he conducted a world-exclusive interview with the charity’s Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, for ITV News.
Dylan said: “The WellChild Awards have been pivotal for me, from the age of 12 all the way through to adulthood. It’s given me a platform to be seen, heard, recognised and celebrated. It has also provided me with incredible opportunities to further my personal ambitions of being a presenter.”
The Duke of Sussex described Dylan as “truly extraordinary”, saying: “Meeting Dylan again and chatting with him on the night of the awards was a special moment for me. His journey from award-winning child to ambassador for WellChild, alongside his remarkable positivity and determination, is truly extraordinary. He really represents what’s so brilliant about the WellChild Awards.”
With the support of Dylan and the Duke of Sussex, WellChild is calling on people from Essex to put forward nominations to ensure their community “superstars” receive the national recognition they deserve. Categories include:
● Inspirational Child or Young Person: Aged 4-18, who has shown incredible courage or assisted others despite their own health challenges.
● Inspirational Parent/Carer: An individual who has gone the extra mile to care for a child with complex health needs.
● Inspirational Health Professional: A doctor, nurse or member of the wider healthcare team who has made a truly exceptional difference to a local family’s life.
Commenting on the awards, Matt James, WellChild’s CEO, said: “People like Dylan truly embody what the WellChild Awards are all about – resilience, compassion and the determination to thrive in the face of adversity. Across the UK, more and more families are caring for children with serious and complex health needs. Behind every child’s story is a network of extraordinary people who go above and beyond every single day.
“The WellChild Awards 2026, in association with GSK, give us the opportunity to recognise that courage and commitment – not only from the children and young people themselves, but also from their parents, siblings and the professionals who support them with unwavering dedication, all working to keep these children as healthy and happy as possible.”
Alongside the Duke of Sussex’s patronage, WellChild enjoys a wealth of celebrity support, with Molly-Mae, Jaime Laing, Ronnie Wood and Gaby Roslin just some of the personalities to champion the charity last year. The awards culminate in a star-studded ceremony in London where winners from across the UK can meet celebrity guests and share their stories.
Nominations are quick and easy to complete online, so for anyone who knows a child, young person or professional in Essex who deserves to be celebrated, please visit: www.wellchild.org.uk/awards
The closing date for nominations is Sunday 15th March 2026.
A call for nominations from the Duke of Sussex can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JruArtL_Kz4.
