Speaking out about her mental health issues has led to a police officer who hails from Tenby receiving a top award from royalty this week - and one of the best hugs ever!

Forty-two-year-old Georgina Lloyd touched the nation with her inspirational story of how she has overcome serious mental health issues whilst training for one of the world’s greatest sporting events.

The former Greenhill School pupil was one of 10 who took part in the BBC1 documentary Mind over Marathon which has followed them in their daily struggles to conquer mental health battles whilst training for the London Marathon in April.

On Monday, the Virgin Money Giving Mind Media Awards were held in London, with Prince Harry presenting the Speaking Out Award to the Mind over Marathon team at a star-studded event celebrating the very best reporting and portrayals of mental health in the media.

Cold Feet, Hollyoaks, Victoria Derbyshire, Bryony Gordon and I, Daniel Blake were among the other winners at the awards. The ceremony, hosted by Mind ambassador Fearne Cotton, with an introduction from the charity’s president Stephen Fry, was held at the ODEON Leicester Square.

Celebrity guests including Frankie Bridge, George Ezra, John Thomson, Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha and Harry Judd attended the awards to celebrate those who, through compelling, honest, and well-crafted work in the media are making a contribution to changing attitudes about mental health.

Prince Harry presented the Speaking Out Award, to the 10 runners who featured in the BBC One documentary Mind over Marathon. It is the first time that Mind has given the prestigious award to more than one winner, but in a year that has been exceptional for people speaking publicly about their mental health, the charity wanted to recognise the whole group as a symbol of their remarkable achievements.

Prince Harry, together with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has this year spearheaded the Heads Together campaign, of which Mind is a charity partner. The Heads Together campaign, which aims to change the conversation about mental health, was also the charity partner for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon.

Speaking at the event, Prince Harry said: “I wanted to come here tonight to say thank you. At the beginning of the year William, Catherine and I believed the country was on the cusp of something special. We noticed after decades of hard work from dedicated campaigners, people seemed ready for a different kind of conversation on mental health.

“Everyone was tired of stigma and scare stories about mental illness, and frustrated it was always being written up in a negative way. They saw that their children were emotionally open in new ways that seemed positive and empowering. Finally, we were all beginning to grasp that mental fitness was an issue worth talking about for every one of us. They were ready for a truly national conversation on mental health.

“With the help of people in this room, this is exactly what we’ve had. In classrooms, in workplaces, around the dinner table, between friends even between strangers. People are now really talking about their own wellbeing and looking to help those around them. And while just talking doesn’t cure all ills, we are now shattering the silence that was a real barrier to progress.

“We are grateful that so many in the media got behind the Heads Together campaign. You helped make it the success it has been. But the biggest thanks has to go to the British public. You embraced it, you engaged with it, you normalised it. I’m sure millions of you were surprised by how many people around you had suffered without you knowing. And at the same time, what a relief it was that you were now able to share your own hardships and experiences. Whether you were the talker or the listener, we have all learned a great deal about ourselves and become better people for it.

“The nominees here tonight have told incredible stories of courage, challenge and triumph throughout an extraordinary year of mental health journalism. Thank you so much for your work and dedication. But I would especially like to thank the people who were brave enough to share their own personal stories with the public.”

Said Georgina after the awards ceremony: “It was such an honour and a privilege to receive an award for ‘speaking out’ about my mental health.

“When I started opening up 12 months ago, I had no idea of the impact it would have.

“To be presented with an award by Prince Harry was an incredible and proud moment. He gave me the best hug and I did not want to let him go.”