Pembrokeshire winners at the Child of Wales awards 2026

Pembrokeshire featured prominently in the Child of Wales awards 2026, with two winners from the county honoured for their courage and selflessness.

The Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards celebrated its fifth anniversary in spectacular style on Friday, October 2, bringing together 700 guests at Swansea Building Society Arena to honour the incredible achievements of children and young people from across Wales.

Hosted by BBC Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones for the fifth consecutive year, the glamorous awards ceremony saw friends and family of the inspirational young winners joined by a host of celebrities, sports stars and media personalities to celebrate stories of resilience, ambition, courage and kindness.

The ‘Courageous Family’ award went to The Guile Family from Pembrokeshire, who have opened their home to children in crisis.

There is a moment in Claire and Dez Guile’s home that most people will never see. It is two o’clock in the morning. A child wakes from a nightmare, shaking, terrified, back in a place no child should ever have to go.

Without hesitation, a light comes on. A door opens. A calm voice says, “It’s okay. You’re safe.” And someone sits with them through it - minute by minute - until the fear finally loosens its grip. No recognition. No audience. Just love. That is life in this home.

Claire and Dez didn’t set out to be extraordinary. They simply saw children who needed safety and made a decision that changed everything. They left their life in Brighton and moved to Pembrokeshire with their own children, stepping into a world of uncertainty because the need was urgent and the children had nowhere else to go.

And some of the stories they have carried are almost impossible to put into words.

One little boy arrived when he was just four years old. What he had already lived through is hard to comprehend. He had been confined to a dog cage. He was physically disabled, deeply traumatised, and emotionally broken. He arrived having learned, far too early, that adults were not safe and that the world was something to survive, not trust.

Many would have looked at that child and seen something too damaged, too complex, too far gone. A case file. A list of needs. An impossible situation.

Claire and Dez saw none of that.

They saw a child. Not a diagnosis. Not a history. Not a label. Just a little boy who deserved to be loved.

They chose him. They stayed. They did not look away when it became hard. They built safety where there had only been fear, and stability where there had only been chaos.

Fourteen years later, that same boy is eighteen years old. He is still there. Still safe. Still loved. Still home. This is not an isolated story. They have kept siblings together when separation would have been easier.

They have opened their door, again and again, to children in crisis when there was nowhere else for them to go.

And what makes this even more extraordinary is that it has been carried by the whole family. Their own children have given up space, privacy, and certainty so that other children could have safety, belonging, and a chance to heal.

Together, they have built something rare: a home where damaged trust is rebuilt slowly, quietly, and every day.

Bravery here does not announce itself. It looks like a light turning on at 2am. It looks like sitting through fear that isn’t yours, night after night. It looks like choosing, over and over again, to stay.

That is Claire. That is Dez. That is their family.

‘Young Sporting Hero’ in the Under 13 category went to Luca Morillo from Haverfordwest.

Luca is an 12-year-old boy whose love of sport and unstoppable spirit make him a true inspiration. Born at just 25 weeks as a surviving twin, Luca spent the first five months of his life in hospital receiving intensive care.

Sadly, his twin brother Jake passed away shortly after birth. Luca also lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, learning disabilities and other health conditions.

From the very beginning, his family were told he may never walk, talk, hear or see - but Luca has proved just how powerful determination and personality can be.

Although he is a full-time wheelchair user and cannot walk, Luca can see, hear, and speak, and he uses his voice proudly - especially when cheering on his favourite teams. He is completely sport mad.

Whether he is watching rugby at home, supporting matches on TV, or being wheeled onto the pitch as a mascot for his local mixed ability rugby team, The Pembrokeshire Vikings, Luca is always at the heart of the action.

He loves match days with Fishguard and Goodwick RFC, cheering loudly from the sidelines and celebrating afterwards with teammates over sausage and chips.

Despite the challenges he faces, Luca refuses to let his disability limit his passion. He actively participates in adapted sports, including playing boccia with Crymych Panthers and taking part in disability cricket at Haverfordwest Cricket Club during the summer.

While opportunities can be limited, Luca gives 100% effort in everything he is able to do, always with enthusiasm and joy.

What makes Luca truly special is not medals or trophies, but his attitude. His love of sport, his determination to be involved, and his infectious enthusiasm inspire everyone around him.

He is a familiar and much-loved presence at local sporting events, where his energy and support lift players and fans alike.

Luca’s story is one of resilience, joy, and pure passion for sport. He shows that being a sporting hero is not only about winning competitions, but about loving the game, supporting others, and never giving up on being part of what you love.

Picking up the ‘Outstanding Charity’ award, was The Wallich which has recently partnered with Pembrokeshire County Council to enhance homelessness prevention efforts across communities.

The Wallich delivers outstanding support for vulnerable children and young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness across Wales. Its work goes beyond providing accommodation, focusing on long-term stability, recovery and independence.

A key part of its service supports young people aged 16 - 24, through a structured four-stage pathway from crisis support to independent living.

This allows young people to progress at their own pace in a safe, consistent environment. Many have experienced trauma, family breakdown, mental health challenges or instability in early life.

What sets The Wallich apart is its trauma-informed, relationship-based approach. Staff work alongside young people to build trust, confidence and essential life skills such as managing finances, sustaining tenancies and handling daily responsibilities, with a focus on empowerment and independence.

The organisation also values co-production, involving people with lived experience in shaping services through mechanisms such as the Lived Experience Shadow Board.

The impact is clear. Young people who have experienced instability are supported to secure and maintain tenancies, re-engage with education or employment, and rebuild confidence for the future.

Progress may be gradual, but sustained support leads to lasting change.

Despite rising demand, housing shortages and complex needs, The Wallich continues to adapt and deliver tailored support for young people.

It also helps break cycles of disadvantage by supporting young parents and vulnerable families, creating more stable environments for children.

The Wallich plays a vital role in ensuring children and young people are not defined by their circumstances, enabling them to build safer, more stable and hopeful futures.

Now Wales's largest homelessness and rough sleeping charity The Wallich will help more people at risk of homelessness in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council through the revamped Homeless Prevention Service, which was recently announced by the Local Authority.

In May 2026, 268 people in Pembrokeshire were placed in temporary accommodation, 23 of which were under the age of 16, according to the Local Authority's data. It recorded 15 people known to be sleeping rough in the same month.

The new Pembrokeshire Homeless Prevention Service will help people in a range of circumstances, including people living in private rented housing with a landlord, council or housing association properties, temporary accommodation, owner-occupied homes, or those who are homeless, sofa surfing, sleeping in a car, shed or other ways of living without a fixed abode.

The Wallch's team of Support Workers will travel across Pembrokeshire to work with people - wherever they are - to reduce homelessness in the county.

The service has three main aims; preventing homelessness wherever possible, helping people access safe and suitable housing options, and supporting people to keep their homes and build resilience.

The new service joins three others delivered by The Wallich in Pembrokeshire, including the Street Homelessness Support Service, Conflict Resolutions Service and its Making Space – Holistic Hoarding Service.

Among those attending the awards ceremony were Love Island stars Scott van-der-Sluis, Leanne Amanin and Ciaran Davies, and BBC radio presenters Bronwen Lewis and Justine Jones.

The evening opened with a special performance from the Child of Wales Awards Choir, before former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Lucciano Mortimore, the awards’ first Young Ambassador, took to the stage alongside his beloved grandad, Frankie and mum Marisa Mortimore.

During the night, one of this year’s winners, eight-year-old Delilah Hill - who won the Young Performer award for her dancing ability which has seen her compete at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool - received a special surprise video message from Strictly Come Dancing stars Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec.

Delilah tragically lost her dad when she was six years old and dancing has given her a focus to help channel her grief. The entertainment culminated with headline performance from funk and soul band The Brand New Heavies.

Awards including- Child of Courage, Courageous Family, Young Fundraiser and Bravery were presented throughout the evening, recognising young people who have overcome significant challenges, supported others and made a positive difference to their communities.

Covering every part of Wales, the Child of Wales Awards shines a light on children and young people who face hardships and challenges every day but refuse to give up, inspiring those around them through their strength, determination and compassion.

The awards also recognise young people who champion causes in their communities, protect the environment, care for others and dedicate their time to fundraising. This year’s event is raising vital funds for Wales Air Ambulance and mental health support charity Big Moose.

The awards have previously supported charities including Teenage Cancer Trust, NSPCC, Dreams and Wishes, the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, Cash for Kids, Joseph’s Smile and 2wish.

The full list of Child of Wales Awards 2026 winners are as follows:Child of Courage (13+) – Mia Harris Jones (Cardiff); Child of Courage (under 13) – Oliver Waters (Merthyr Tydfil); Courageous Family – The Guile Family (Pembrokeshire); Exceptional Young Carer – Olivia Hazel Furley (Torfaen); Outstanding Charity – The Wallich (Cardiff); Young Fundraiser – Cian Evans (Swansea); Bravery Award – Oliver Baggott (Pontypool); Young Performer – Delilah Hill (Merthyr Tydfil); Community Champion – Sophie Howe (Pontyclun); Environmental Champion – Sophia Jones (Pontypridd); Young Sporting Hero (13+) – Zac Thomas (Swansea); Young Sporting Hero (under 13) – Luca Morrillo (Haverfordwest); Young Leader – Cathryn Moore (Llandovery); Above & Beyond – John Jenkins (Neath).

Darren Briggs, founder and CEO of Ascona Group, the UK's seventh-largest independent fuel retailer headquartered in Pembrokeshire, said: “It was a real pleasure and a source of great pride for Ascona Group, as a proud Welsh business, to return as headline sponsor of the Child of Wales Awards for a second year – and what an exceptional evening it was.

“As a business, we believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate and using our success to make a positive difference. Supporting these awards is a natural part of that.

“I was also particularly pleased to see Wales Air Ambulance benefit from the evening. I was proud to become the charity’s first Business Ambassador for Wales, and Ascona has pledged to raise £1 million for the charity over 10 years. It is a cause that is very close to my heart, so to see the generosity of everyone at the awards helping to support its lifesaving work was incredibly special,” he added.