Congratulations to all our award winners, who are detailed below. Keep an eye on the Foundation’s social media channels for more information on each winner.
**Young Achiever: Ayla**
Ayla is a young superstar who has been diagnosed with leukaemia three times, and also suffered a brain injury due to infection. But she has maintained an incredibly positive spirit throughout, and has benefitted from the Wolf Wise mentoring programme delivered by the Foundation thanks to funding from Children In Need.
Ian Millard Award for Educational Achievement: Amber Pilsbury
Named in honour of former Wolves Foundation trustee Ian Millard, the award for educational achievement went to Amber Pilsbury, who is studying on the Foundation’s Football & Education College Academy with the City of Wolverhampton College. Amber has not only excelled in her studies both with her attitude and results, she has impressed in various enrichment activities including being part of the matchday ball crew and helping at the Premier League Primary Stars national tournament in the summer.
**Community Champion: Tariq Ali MBE**
The Community Champion award went to well-known cricket coach and incredible volunteer Tariq Ali, who has delivered a range of projects across the local community for over 20 years. Tariq collaborated with the Foundation on delivering late-night football and cricket sessions at the Aldersley Arena during Ramadan, helping to create ties with different mosques across the city alongside the spirit of sporting competition.
**Outstanding Achievement: Pooja Kanda OBE**
Pooja Kanda OBE has worked tirelessly to help implement a new law – Ronan’s Law – outlawing the sale or possession of ninja knives, following the tragic death of her son Ronan following a case of mistaken identity in 2022. Pooja and her daughter Nikita received the award on the poignant date of what would have been Ronan’s 20th birthday. She is working with the Foundation on helping to improve community safety, and has already led a workshop for several local schools on the subject of knife crime.
**Creating Opportunities and Changing Lives: Sam Neath**
The Creating Opportunities and Changing Lives award went to Sam Neath, a Young Person’s Adviser with the City of Wolverhampton Council, who has worked closely with the Foundation. Sam led on the organisation of the National Championship Cup at Molineux in the summer, offering young people with care experience the opportunity of a lifetime to play in a tournament at a Premier League stadium.
**Special Recognition: Ryan Boon**
The Special Recognition award was made to Ryan Boon, Head of Safety and Security at Wolves. Not only does Ryan support the Foundation’s activities through his daily job, he has also regularly fundraised in his own time, including taking on the half marathon at the Great Birmingham Run.
**Leadership: Louisa Craig**
Louisa Craig, the principal at Our Lady & St Chad Catholic Academy in Wolverhampton, one of the Foundation’s partner schools, had already been surprised earlier this year by the award of the Premier League’s Community Captain accolade. This was followed up with the Leadership award, marking her incredible impact on schoolchildren across the city delivered over several decades.
**Spirit of Wolves: Daisy**
There was barely a dry eye in the house for the final award of the evening, presented to Head 4 Health participant Daisy. Having previously tried to take her own life, Daisy has recovered from both the physical injuries and challenges with her mental health to graduate from the University of Wolverhampton, and gain employment as a call handler with the emergency services. After seeing an advert in the South Bank, where she is a season ticket holder, Daisy started attending Head 4 Health during her studies, becoming a hugely popular and inspirational member of the group.