Three people who confronted a woman with a knife in a Valleys supermarket, volunteers who rescued swimmers caught in a rip tide at a Welsh beach and a young boy with cancer who rescued a drowning man are among the people shortlisted for this year's St David Awards.
The awards, which are celebrating their ninth year in 2022, recognise the extraordinary achievements of people from across Wales.
Announcing the finalists, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Some of the people shortlisted have shown extraordinary acts of bravery and determination. Others have shown incredible community spirit despite the pressures of living through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our finalists are astonishing people and we are very fortunate they call Wales home. I would like to congratulate all those who have been shortlisted and I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone for an award – unfortunately not everyone can make the shortlist.”
Read more: Find the latest stories from across Wales here
This year’s award categories are: Bravery, Business, Community Spirit, Critical Worker, Culture, Environment Champion, Innovation, Science and Technology, Sport, Young Person and the First Minister’s Special Award. .
The winners will be announced in a ceremony on April 7.
The finalists are:
Young person
Makenzy Beard
The 14-year-old schoolgirl from Bishopston started painting as a hobby during lockdown. Her artwork has won thousands of fans and gone viral on social media, and it was selected for exhibition at the prestigious Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show in London this summer.
Makenzy also plays hockey for Wales.
Benjamin Trewartha
Following people close to Benjamin suffering with cardiac episodes, the sixth form student from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf has been proactive in bringing about first aid training for school pupils to deal with cardiac-related situations.
Daniel Lewis
During lockdown, Daniel, from Treharris, started a campaign to clean up fly-tipping hotspots.
Through fundraising and working with local businesses, he has successfully removed over 25 tonnes of illicit waste on the Merthyr and Gelligaer Common.
Bravery
PC Ian Chattun and Sergeant Katy Evans
PC Chattun and Sergeant Evans, officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, saved a vulnerable woman from drowning on Aberystwyth seafront.
PC Thomas Scourfield and Sergeant Geraint Jenkins
Both police officers risked their lives to attempt to save the life of a 92 -year-old man who was trapped in a burning building in Port Talbot.
Aaron Gray
A father saved seven neighbours from a fire just minutes before their house was engulfed in flames. Aaron saw the blaze, after being woken by his three-year-old son at 5am. The former soldier rushed over and roused the two women and five children inside the bungalow in Prestatyn.
Community Spirit
Carole Anne Dacey
Since her retirement, Carole from Penarth has worked full time with some of the most vulnerable people in Wales, including the homeless; people who have been trafficked; and prisoners. She has also trained others (including prisoners) to be able to take on volunteer roles.
Ruth Dodsworth
TV presenter Ruth suffered abuse and controlling behaviour by her husband for nearly 20 years, and now campaigns against coercive control and helps Wales’ police forces to spot the signs of domestic abuse.
Jonathan Wignall frequently attended the studios and locations where she was filming, prevented her from socialising with friends and family and even had a tracker fitted on her car so he could follow her movements.
Former nightclub boss Wignall was jailed for three years last April, while Ruth is now happily remarried and loving life again, and using her experiences to help prevent others from going through the same ordeal. You can read WalesOnline's exclusive interview with her here.
Siop Griffiths
A community enterprise in Penygroes, Dyffryn Nantlle in Gwynedd that has helped create local solutions to the challenges facing the Nantlle Valley and to give young people opportunities to stay and thrive in their community.
Critical Worker
Dr Eilir Hughes
A GP who founded the Fresh Air Wales campaign to promote the importance of ventilation, especially in schools, and mask-wearing to reduce the risk of spreading and catching Covid.
Michelle Jones and Catherine Cooper
During the Covid pandemic, Michelle and Catherine - headteacher and assistant headteacher at Lansdowne Primary School in Cardiff - provided support and child care provision for children of key workers and vulnerable children.
They ensured that these children were able to attend school, providing families with food and other essentials, and making themselves available 24/7 to offer help and advice to the community.
Respiratory nursing team from Glamorgan Hospital
The team played an important role when they provided support for families with loved ones in hospital with Covid, as well as the guidance. They also provided reassurance to staff at the hospital’s Acute Medical Unit
Ysgol Esceifiog
The school in Anglesey gave support to a family following a terminal diagnosis for one of their pupils. They ensured support was provided to the siblings in school as well as supporting other pupils who were affected by their friend’s illness.
Culture
Berwyn Rowlands
Berwyn is a Welsh TV and film producer and film fan and is the Festival Director of the Iris Prize – Cardiff’s LGBT+ Film Festival which awards the world's largest short film prize.
Dr Ami Jones and Glenn Dene
As well as fulfilling their usual duties, Ami and Glenn from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board published a collection of Glenn’s photographs from inside Welsh hospitals in a photo book entitled ‘Behind the Mask: the NHS Family and the fight with Covid 19’, with Ami narrating.
Jessica Dunrod
Jessica is a writer and linguist from Cardiff who has made a huge impact on Welsh language literature. In an effort to diversify Welsh literature, she brought 10 titles to the Welsh market in less than a year.
Last year, she told WalesOnline how, in her first children's book, she wanted to write a heroine with an afro, so that children could grow up proud of their hair, identity and heritage.
Environment Champion
Dr Sarah Beynon - The Bug Farm
Dr Beynon, a farmer, conservationist and academic entomologist, has established a multi award-winning Bug Farm in 2013 on her 100-acre farm in St David's.
The research and education centre showcases the sustainable future of food, farming and wildlife conservation.
Low Carbon Built Environment Group (Cardiff University)
The group from the Welsh School of Architecture have helped significantly to reduce carbon emissions in housing whilst improving conditions and reducing energy bills.
Melissa Forster and Kristina Pruett
Melissa and Kristina from Pontypridd have led the way in recycling and fly-tipping in their area. Their pledge, The Litter Pick Challenge, developed into a community action organisation with links to other areas of Wales, the U.K. and abroad.
Business
A&R Cleaning and Security Services
The Bridgend business adapted its services during the pandemic, investing in new technology, allowing them to become the first in Wales to offer a bio-misting service which provides additional biosecurity against Covid.
Awesome Wales CIC
Awesome Wales is a social enterprise based in Barry and Cowbridge with zero waste stores that allow customers to buy environmentally friendly and ethically produced goods with no unnecessary plastic packaging
Jordan Lea
An inspiring individual, Jordan Lea from Llandudno started a community interest company, Deal Me Out, in 2020 following debilitating mental health issues surrounding his gambling addiction which he has overcome.
Sport
David Smith MBE
David, from Swansea, is a multiple European, World and Paralympic champion in boccia, and most recently won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Lauren Price
In 2021, Lauren became the first Welsh woman to win a boxing gold medal at the Olympic Games, having already won Commonwealth and European Championship gold.
In an interview with WalesOnline last year, she opened up about her career, being raised by grandparents, and her pride at representing Wales at the Olympics. You can read that here.
Hannah Mills OBE
Hannah, who won a second gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to go with several World and European titles, became the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time.
Innovation, Science and Technology
Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Prof Rob Honey, Dr Byron Wilkinson and Phil Butler
A small team of dedicated researchers from Cardiff University co-produced research on decision-making in emergency situations with the National Fire Chiefs Council.
Luca Pagano, Graham Howe, Peter Charlton, John Hughes and Richard Morgan
A small team from University of Wales Trinity St Davids that has developed a 3D-printed jet respiratory support system to help the NHS during the initial Covid outbreak.
Research and Delivery Team Swansea Bay University Health Board
The research staff worked together to support clinical teams with trials focusing on urgent public health trials. The team adapted to change to ensure that research continued during such a pressured time for health boards.
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