THE ASCONA GROUP Child of Wales Awards 2026 will raise vital funds for two lifesaving charities when the popular event returns this autumn.

The awards, which celebrate the inspirational achievements of young people across Wales, will take place at the Swansea Building Society Arena on Friday (Oct 2). More than seven hundred guests are expected to attend the prestigious evening, which will once again be hosted by BBC Wales presenter Gethin Jones.

This year’s beneficiaries are the Wales Air Ambulance and the mental health charity Big Moose.

The event has already sold out nearly eight months before the ceremony, highlighting the strong support the awards continue to attract from sponsors, supporters and communities across Wales.

Co-founder Blanche Sainsbury said: “We are very excited to be back for a fifth year and incredibly proud to say the event has already sold out with almost eight months to go.

“I think it reflects the passion of our sponsors and supporters who really believe in our event because it shines a light on these inspirational children.

“Every day the headlines are so bleak, but something like this really lifts everyone’s spirits and reminds us of the special people we have living in our communities.”

Pembrokeshire-based forecourt and roadside retail business The Ascona Group returns as headline sponsor for the second consecutive year.

The company has already raised more than £333,000 for Wales Air Ambulance — the equivalent cost of around ninety-four lifesaving missions.

Managing director Darren Briggs said: “We are incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of the Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards for the second year running, celebrating the inspiring young people who represent the very best of Wales.

“Our return for 2026 reflects our continued commitment to recognising and championing the outstanding achievements of Wales’s remarkable young people and, of course, their families.”

Since launching in 2021, the Child of Wales and Child of Britain Awards have raised more than £300,000 for charitable causes.

Blanche Sainsbury said the event was also designed to showcase the work of organisations supporting young people across the country.

“There are so many wonderful organisations working with children and young people and our event is a platform for the incredible work they do,” she said.

“Wales Air Ambulance is one of the beneficiaries this year because it has attended so many of our past award recipients.

“Our headline sponsor Ascona Group’s Chief Executive Darren Briggs is also a business ambassador for the charity, so he has incredible insight into the work they do.”

She added that the awards also aim to highlight the work of smaller charities making a significant impact.

“We also champion smaller charities like Big Moose who deserve to have a bigger profile in Wales.

“On meeting its Chief Executive Jeff Smith and hearing his story, I was impressed with the work they are doing. They are supporting people as young as four with mental health problems.

“There is nothing more precious than preserving life and giving people the tools to help them navigate difficult moments. Big Moose is transforming lives every day.”

The awards celebrate extraordinary young people such as 13-year-old Ioan Watts from Caerphilly, who won the Young Fundraiser of the Year award last year.

Ioan suffered a catastrophic brain injury in 2022 and required treatment from the Wales Air Ambulance. Since then, he has raised more than £50,000 to support the lifesaving service.

During 2025, Wales Air Ambulance crews attended more than 3,600 missions across the country, including more than 400 incidents involving children.

The charity relies entirely on public support and must raise £13 million every year to continue its work.

Chief Executive Dr Sue Barnes said: “We are honoured to be one of the chosen charities for this year’s Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards.

“Wales Air Ambulance Charity was formed on St David’s Day, March 1, 2001, and this year we are marking our 25th anniversary.

“Wales Air Ambulance provides 24/7 advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘mobile emergency department’.

“Our consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world.

“Our supporters are a big part of our Welsh success story; thanks to our generous fundraisers we can be there for patients wherever and whenever they need us.

“Every pound raised on the night will be shared between Wales Air Ambulance and Big Moose, helping save lives across Wales.”

Big Moose, which supports hundreds of children and young people each year, was co-founded by father and daughter Jeff and Chloe Smith. The charity aims to improve mental health support, prevent suicide and reduce homelessness.

Jeff Smith said: “I feel so fortunate to be at the forefront of what we do. It is a privilege to hear the stories first hand from the people we help.

“It’s very moving and it’s what drives me to want to keep doing this important work.”

Over the past twelve months the charity has helped more than 3,000 people.

Jeff added: “The number of referrals we received in 2025 doubled. Demand for what we are doing is rising every year.

“We have grown into a therapy-led organisation and therefore we need to ensure we are able to fundraise enough money to pay for the therapists needed for each referral.

“That’s why we are so grateful to the Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards for giving us an incredible platform and helping us raise awareness about our lifesaving work.”

Photo captions:

Awards host: BBC Wales presenter Gethin Jones will host the Child of Wales Awards at Swansea Building Society Arena (Pic: Supplied).

Air ambulance: Wales Air Ambulance crews attended more than 3,600 missions last year (Pic: Supplied).

Charity founders: Big Moose co-founders Jeff and Chloe Smith (Pic: Supplied).