Page 17 - issue19.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P17

News

Tears and triumph

at military awards

TRIBUTE: Sponsor Steve Utley, RBL winner Susan
Coleman and defence minister Tobias Ellwood
Staff Reporter
PERFORMANCE: NOMINEE: James
A GRIEF-STRICKEN 11-year-old Singer Carly Paoli Wilthew and wife
who launched a fundraising crusade to steps centre stage at enjoy the show
help Forces veterans fight depression glitzy event
following the suicide of his own father
brought high emotion to the Soldiering
On awards.
Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot and
RAF veteran John Nichol presented
Jamie Small with a Family Values Award
after his campaign to help spare other
Forces kids from the heartbreak of losing
a parent to mental illness touched the
hearts of judges.
Mum Mandy said “There are no words to OVERWHELMED:
describe how proud I am of Jamie right now Above left, Winner
and how much I love him. Jamie Small with
To be able to channel his grief at such AVM Elliot, and
centre after receiving
a young age into helping others was his award
inspirational and to receive such recognition
from the people he wants to help is
something that he’ll remember forever”.
He was joined at the Westminster
ceremony by Air Force, Navy and Army
veterans honoured for overcoming
adversity to achieve their goals on civvy
street and a host of military chiefs.
The Inspiration Award was shared
by ex-Army double amputees Luke
Sinnott and Nathan Cumberland
who both suffered horrific injuries
following separate bomb blasts while
serving in Afghanistan.
Former airman James Wilthew
received recognition for providing an
economic lifeline for communities
in Afghanistan by setting up
his business retailing their
traditionally made rugs and crafts
from his business, the Afghan Rug
Shop in Yorkshire.
The Forces in Mind Trust –
Working Together Award was
won by Unforgotten Forces, run
by Poppy Scotland which supports JUDGES: Wg Cdr Tal Lambert (right) and Ren Kapur
elderly veterans in Scotland.