Not only is the Award a way for us to remember our colleague Alex, but also honouring our young fundraisers with the awards, it lets us shine a light on the wonderful ways they strive to fundraise and raise awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. With their incredible support, we can continue our vital work supporting those affected by Crohn’s and Colitis. The awards honour the achievements of our remarkable young fundraisers who distinctly meet our values of Ambitious, Compassionate, and Stronger Together.

It was our pleasure to gather virtually on Thursday 8^th December with Alex’s mum Cherrie and sister Sophie, and our finalists to announce our Winners, those who were Highly Commended, and our Lifetime Awareness Award winners in the 16 and Unders and Over 16s categories.

Take a look at our winners and what it means to them to win an award in this years Alex Demain Young Fundraiser of the Year Awards 2022!

Our Winners:

16 and Unders:

Overall Winner : Molly Douch

'When I first found out I had been short listed I was so surprised as I didn't even know I'd been nominated! Abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower was a huge physical and mental challenge, and I was lucky to have so much support. When the press picked up my story and then our local radio station, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to talk about living with an IBD and how it effects not just the person's life, but also that of family and friends. We need to make people aware that it isn't just a pooping disease and so many are affected by it.

I was so honoured to have won the award and really was overwhelmed, I didn't do this challenge to be recognised, I did it as a personal challenge to myself, to raise funds and awareness of Crohn's and Colitis. I'm so happy I managed to succeed.

Next up, I hope to do a tandem skydive!'

Highly Commended: Ellie Hewson

'It means the world to me to have been selected as the Highly Commended recipient for the Alex Domain Young Fundraiser of the Year Award 2022.

Back in January of this year, I held a coffee morning at my local church where I sang and accompanied myself on the piano to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis. I set out wanting to raise £500 but I managed to raise just over £1800! I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in May 2020 after a colonoscopy uncovered why I had been so poorly. I struggled a lot at first with coming to terms with living with a chronic illness and understanding the treatment of which I would have to endure. However, 2 years on, I am doing so much better and this award has made me realise how important it is to raise awareness of the disease and how I’m going to continue fundraising to help people, like me, who are living with IBD'

Lifetime Awareness: Heath Lake

'Heath was overjoyed that he was shortlisted let alone won an award. He was inspired by the other finalist's stories and is already planning a fundraiser with his dad to ride a motorbike 1000 miles in 24 hours! He hopes that his Crohn's journey and optimism provides hope and courage for other young children suffering from Crohn’s and Colitis.'

17 – 29 Year old:

Overall Winner : Kirsten Parry

'I am both humbled and emotional to receive this award. I was given the news whilst lying in a hospital bed on morphine, which is the perfect example of what a juxtaposition living with IBD is. Sometimes, finding joy in the darkness is effortless - but at other times, it is the most painful thing in the world. Choosing to run a half marathon was a bit ambitious but choosing to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK in the process was a no brainier. What an incredible charity which does so much to support people before, during and after diagnosis. Raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis literally saves lives, and it’s a privilege to be a small part of that. I am massively grateful to receive this award, for Ian Hawking who nominated me, and for Alex’s family who have created something so beautiful out of such a heart breaking situation.'

Highly Commended: James Isted

'Winning this award means a lot to me as this has been the hardest year of my life, going through Stoma surgery wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, but it was one of the best things that could of happened to me. This organization is incredible, and I just want to say a massive thank you to them!'

Lifetime Awareness: Hope Brown

'I feel honoured to have won the lifetime awareness award. It’s good to know my twin brothers’ story can be shared for others to be aware of. I am grateful for the community at Crohn’s & Colitis UK for being able to share each individual's story and letting people know they are not alone. Although I don’t suffer from Crohn’s or colitis myself, I’m very much aware of the impacts it has on people's life’s as I have other close family and friends who’s life it effects. If Ryan’s story can help at least one other person in this community, then that’s all I could ask for. Thank you so much to Crohn’s and Colitis UK for helping me share Ryan’s story. He will forever be my twin brother.
I look forward to doing another My Walk it challenge in 2023 to continue to spread awareness.'