WellChild Celebrates 20 Years!
Sep. 2025
The 20th annual WellChild Awards brought together an extraordinary community of children, families, and supporters to celebrate resilience, courage, and the transformative power of care. Generously supported by GSK, this milestone event highlighted two decades of unwavering commitment to children and young people living with complex medical conditions.
A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
The evening’s atmosphere was electric as the spotlight fell where it truly belonged – on the remarkable children and young people whose courage defines the WellChild mission. The Awards have consistently demonstrated that when proper support is provided, children with complex medical needs can thrive at home, surrounded by family, friends, and community rather than in hospital settings.
Over the past 20 years, WellChild has experienced remarkable growth that speaks to its vital importance. The organization now boasts 311 WellChild Award winners who have inspired countless others with their bravery. A dedicated team of 53 WellChild nurses works tirelessly across the country, making an enormous difference in the lives of families. The charity’s reach extends to a community of more than 3,600 families, with support programs reaching even further into communities nationwide.
In 2024-2025 alone, WellChild made great progress in its “Thriving at Home” initiative. Its 53 WellChild nurses and 18 Better at Home training suites enabled 572 children to be discharged home from hospital and prevented more than 16,000 admissions. Additionally, WellChild trained more than 6,700 parents, caregivers, and professionals in the clinical skills needed to care for these children at home and in their communities rather than in hospital.
Spotlight on Dylan: From Award Winner to Champion
One of the evening’s most moving moments centered on Dylan Bleach, whose decade-long journey with WellChild exemplifies the charity’s transformative impact. Dylan first received a WellChild Award in 2015 at just 12 years old, recognized for the inspirational way he supports his sister while managing his own cerebral palsy and medical needs.
Since that initial recognition, Dylan has evolved into a true ambassador for the charity. His involvement has been both diverse and impactful – from sharing the stage with Pharrell Williams at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2015 to helping open WellChild Award nominations at prestigious events. As a member of the Youth Judging Panel for the WellChild Awards, Dylan has brought valuable perspective to the selection process.
Dylan’s commitment extends beyond formal events. He has consistently shared his story through various media channels and fundraising events, helping to raise both money and awareness of WellChild’s crucial work. Last year, he volunteered to be the face of the WellChild Awards on social media, bringing energy, warmth, and personality to the event’s online coverage – a role he proudly continues this year.
Perhaps most remarkably, in 2025 Dylan took on his biggest challenge yet, running the London Marathon alongside his father, Wes. This powerful moment demonstrated not only how far Dylan has come personally but also his unwavering commitment to giving back to the organization that has supported him.
Looking Forward: A Legacy and Mission More Important Than Ever
The evening’s speakers emphasized that while celebrating 20 years of achievement is important, WellChild’s mission has never been more crucial. The growing need for support services means the charity must continue expanding its reach and impact. The call went out for continued collaboration – through support, awareness, and action – to advance this vital work.
The success stories celebrated at the Awards serve as beacons of hope, proving that with proper support, children with complex medical conditions can achieve extraordinary things. Each winner represents not just individual triumph but also the potential that exists when communities, healthcare providers, and families work together.
As the 20th annual WellChild Awards concluded, it also marked the beginning of an even more ambitious future. The strength, courage, and joy demonstrated by the winners, made possible in no small part through the support and indefatiguable dedication of their parents, serve as a reminder of what’s possible when society commits to supporting its most vulnerable young people and gives them the chance to thrive in the places they belong: at home with their families.
