14-year-old Ruky Anighoro from Thamesmead has been selected as a winner in the prestigious national 2023 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, having been nominated by his mother, Ufuoma, and will be off to collect his award at a ceremony in London on September 7th. The awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children.
Ruky, who has a form of brittle bone disease and is entirely adult dependent for his mobility and care needs, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the category of Special Recognition in these awards which celebrate the resilience of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help them.
Ruky has undergone many surgeries and has suffered from numerous fractures and pains due to his condition. A recent major surgery to correct his scoliosis was followed by a difficult recovery, leaving Ruky in braces. His condition means that he has to take frequent time away from school and away from his friends until it’s safe for him to return.
Although he is physically fragile, he has developed into a chatty, fun loving and witty young man and has been recognised at school for his hard work, particularly that he stays behind at school three days a week to catch up at homework club. Ruky is a budding musician and has even released a single titled ‘Watch Me Now’ which was released on his 14th birthday and is dedicated to everyone with his condition.
Commenting on his ‘unbreakable spirit’, Ruky’s Mum, Ufuoma who nominated him for the award said: “Ruky has been through a lot in the past few years. Winning a WellChild Award will be a big confidence and morale booster for him and encourage him to achieve even more despite his limitations. Each surgery gets harder for Ruky, but he is always brave and bounces back with a smile. He is an inspiration to his peers and the release of his single made everyone at his school very proud.”
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “The number of children and young people in the UK living with long term, complex medical needs is growing. The WellChild Awards 2023, in association with GSK. will be a unique opportunity to recognize the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate their remarkable positivity, resilience, and spirit, which is an inspiration to us all. It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings and parent carers to the professionals who have gone above and beyond to give them the best chance to thrive in life.”
WellChild Patron, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex said: “For nearly 20 years, WellChild has been transforming the lives of children and young people across the UK, providing critical care that prioritizes the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of these individuals and their families. The courage and strength embodied by these young people – and the tireless devotion of those who support them – never cease to inspire me. I’m honoured to attend this year’s awards ceremony and celebrate their incredible work.”
