These annual awards are special to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, as not only are they a way for us to remember our colleague Alex Demain, who sadly passed away in 2015, they are also a way for us to celebrate the amazing achievements of our creative, motivated, and compassionate supporters. 

With each and every nomination being so inspirational, it was a hard task to choose the winners. We were thrilled to award the winners with their award at our fantastic London WALK IT event on Saturday 9 June, where thousands of people came together to raise awareness and funds for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Our Ambassador, Carrie Grant, the television presenter and vocal coach, who was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1983 awarded the winners along with Alex's sister Sophie. 

Jack Craigie (15) won in the under 16's category. Jack was the single highest fundraiser at Plymouth WALK IT in 2017, and he completed the 10k route despite having considerable pain in his knees and heels due to his Crohn’s, and side effects from his medication. Earlier this year Jack organised a 100-mile cycle ride from Ilfracombe to Plymouth on the south coast and had to have an Infliximab infusion a few days before the ride to help him get through it. So far, Jack has raised £2,524 and has secured matched funding, doubling that amount! Jack has shown incredible courage and strength and has decided to do everything he can to help others and inspire other children with IBD to give them hope.

Thomas Howourth (28 years old) won in the 17-29 age group. Over the past year, Tom has run the Berlin Marathon, London Marathon, sold homegrown vegetables, and held a charity beer pong event, raffle, coffee and cake morning, quiz, silent auction, and games event – and has so far raised £3,205.52! Tom’s partner, Tasha, has had a rough time over the past year with her Ulcerative Colitis, and Tom wanted to fundraise for Crohn’s & Colitis UK because of the help and support provided to Tasha through this difficult time. His next event is the Chicago Marathon later this year – he isn’t stopping anytime soon!

For the first time ever, we also awarded the Alex Demain Lifetime Awareness Award to two truly inspiring people who have worked tirelessly in raising awareness of IBD – Ellie Pugh (13 years old) and James Conlon (27 years old).

Ellie Pugh began fundraising in support of Crohn's & Colitis UK after she was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease age seven. Since then she has raised more than £5,000 through many fundraising activities. Ellie continually 'digs deep' as she battles with the daily challenges of living with Crohn's, but has vowed to keep raising funds and awareness in the hope that one day other people don't have to feel the way she has. 

James was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, six years ago, since then he has fundraised and helped to raise awareness for these conditions as well as being a media volunteer for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. James  founded The Toilet Me & IBD, a worldwide campaign, back in 2015 which has been hugely successful and inspiring in raising awareness of Crohn's and Colitis.

Passionate about his work, Alex was a vibrant member of our fundraising team. He always loved to hear about the wonderful ways our incredible supporters pushed the boundaries to raise money & awareness for the charity.