Nominations are now open for a national awards scheme.
The Ascona Child of Wales Awards 2026 will focus on recognising the 'remarkable achievements, courage and resilience' of children across Wales, culminating in a star-studded ceremony in Swansea next autumn.
Pembrokeshire-based forecourt and roadside retail business Ascona Group returns as headline sponsor for the second consecutive year.
Blanche Sainsbury, founder of the Ascona Child of Wales Awards, said: "It is my absolute honour to be able to declare the nominations open for 2026 and to also express my sincere thanks to all the businesses and individuals once again stepping up to make this year’s event truly exceptional.
"Every year I am blown away by the stories we hear and the incredible people we meet, as well as the support we receive from across Wales and beyond."
BBC presenter Gethin Jones will return as host for the evening, which will see some 650 people gather at the Swansea Building Society Arena on October 2, including winners and their families, sponsors, celebrities, sporting stars, influencers and media representatives.
The free-to-enter awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate children and young people under 20 who live in, or were born in, Wales.
Nominees may have overcome illnesses or disabilities, faced discrimination, or achieved success in sport or the arts.
There are 12 categories, including Child of Courage, Young Sporting Hero, Young Leader, Environmental Champion and Exceptional Young Carer.
Categories also recognise leadership, community impact, environmental action, care for others and fundraising.
Nominations will remain open until Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
A judging panel of celebrities, independent advisors and sponsor representatives will select the winners, who will be invited to the ceremony in Swansea.
Winners will also receive a break at Bluestone Wales holiday park in Pembrokeshire, while shortlisted nominees will get a day pass.
The event also serves as a fundraiser for child-focused charities in Wales, having raised more than £300,000 to date.
In 2026, the beneficiaries will be Wales Air Ambulance and mental health charity Big Moose.
Darren Briggs, managing director of Ascona Group, said: "We are incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of the Ascona 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."
Nominations can be made online.
For sponsorship opportunities, table bookings or to donate an auction prize, contact Blanche Sainsbury at blanche@childofbritain.com.
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