Sofia Dobson from Warrington will soon meet Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to receive her 2026 WellChild Award after being nominated by her mum, Sarah.
Now in their 21st year, the awards, run by national children’s charity WellChild, in association with GSK, celebrate the inspiring qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people, alongside the parents, carers and professionals who go above and beyond to support them. Chosen from hundreds of nominations from across the UK, Sofia has been selected as the winner of the Inspirational Child, Aged 12-14 Award, recognising the extraordinary courage, determination and positivity she has shown while living with serious illness.
Born in February 2014, twelve-year-old Sofia Dobson has shown extraordinary resilience since surviving a catastrophic stroke at birth, despite doctors believing she was unlikely to survive. As a result of her brain injury, Sofia lives with complex and lifelong medical needs, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dystonia, visual impairment, scoliosis, autism spectrum disorder and significant learning difficulties. She requires full-time one-to-one support, attends the Royal School for the Blind, and her life is carefully managed around frequent hospital appointments, intensive physiotherapy, medication and ongoing surgeries. Despite a deep fear of hospitals stemming from her early experiences, Sofia continues to face every challenge with remarkable courage.
Despite these immense difficulties, Sofia has consistently exceeded expectations. Against the odds, she learned to walk and talk, overcoming barriers that many believed would be impossible. Through determination, strength and the support of those around her, she continues to make progress while navigating life-threatening seizures, mobility challenges and the daily realities of living with a complex disability. Music and creativity provide her with joy and comfort, helping her remain positive as she prepares for future treatment.
What makes Sofia truly inspirational is her unwavering commitment to helping others. After recognising that disabled children are often excluded from activities such as swimming and sports, she bravely used her voice to campaign for greater inclusion, writing to both the Prime Minister and the King. Her kindness extends far beyond advocacy: she fundraises for childhood stroke survivors, saves her pocket money to buy Christmas gifts for children spending the festive season in hospital, and personally delivers them with handwritten messages of encouragement.
Although Sofia has faced more challenges than most people encounter in a lifetime, she approaches each day with compassion, determination and a desire to make a difference. Her courage, generosity and refusal to let adversity define her inspire everyone around her, showing a strength, maturity and selflessness far beyond her years.
Sofia’s Mum, Sarah, who nominated her for her WellChild Awards said: “Sofia inspires me every single day with her strength, determination and kind heart. We are incredibly humbled by this award and so excited to celebrate such a special moment with WellChild.”
Sofia will receive her award at a special ceremony in London on September 21st, where they will meet WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, during a private reception ahead of the awards.
Speaking at last year’s ceremony, WellChild Patron Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, said: “For more than two decades, this event has shone a bright spotlight on the needs of children and young people living with complex medical conditions. But more than that, it celebrates something far bigger – your courage, your resilience, and the extraordinary love of the families and carers who never stop showing up. This night has been a highlight of my year ever since my first WellChild Awards. It’s all because of you – these children, this cause, and the WellChild community. More than ever, WellChild’s mission must be our shared priority.”
The 2026 ceremony will once again bring together winners and their families with WellChild supporters, celebrity guests and healthcare leaders for an unforgettable evening celebrating courage, compassion and resilience. Celebrities attending last year’s ceremony included Jamie Laing, Molly-Mae Hague, Ronnie Wood and Peter Andre, and the evening was hosted by WellChild Ambassador Gaby Roslin.
Matt James, Chief Executive of WellChild, said: “Every year we are humbled and inspired by the extraordinary people recognised at the WellChild Awards. Their stories remind us that courage and resilience are found in many different forms, from children facing life with complex medical needs, to parents, siblings and professionals who go the extra mile to care for them every single day.
With more and more children and young people living longer with complex medical needs, the WellChild Awards shine a bright light not only on these remarkable individuals, but the people, partnerships and support that help these children on their journey from hospital, to home, to living well. Through the WellChild Awards 2026, in association with GSK, we are delighted to celebrate Sofia as one of this year’s deserving winners.”
Kym Rutterford, Fundraising Manager at St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation who has sponsored Sofia’s award said: “Sofia is an extraordinary example of how courage and compassion can create positive change. Despite facing challenges that no child should have to endure, she has shown remarkable determination not only to overcome adversity, but to use her voice to make life better for other children living with illness and disability. Her kindness, resilience and passion for inclusion are truly inspirational, and we are incredibly proud to support the WellChild Awards and celebrate Sofia as this year’s Inspirational Young Person.”
