South Wales Echo

Football heroes among St David winners

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THE Wales football team was just one of the award winners to be honoured at this year’s St David Awards in Cardiff last night.

The St David Awards, which were inaugurate­d in 2014, celebrate the great deeds and extraordin­ary achievemen­ts of Welsh people from all walks of life – from saving lives to inspiring a nation.

This year saw 24 nominees across eight categories including internatio­nal, bravery, sport and culture, and the winners were announced at a special ceremony at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last night.

The Wales football team won the sport award, before the squad take on the Republic of Ireland tonight away in a World Cup qualifier.

The team, led by Chris Coleman, was awarded for their incredible journey to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

The squad has been described as firstclass ambassador­s for Wales, both on and off the pitch, while their campaign slogan of “Together Stronger” inspired the nation and captured worldwide interest.

The award for innovation, science and technology went to Professor Meena Upadhyaya OBE.

Britain’s first female British-Indian professor in medical genetics in the UK, Professor Meena Upadhyaya OBE has worked in medical molecular genetics since the discipline’s infancy, and is also a passionate advocate for women of ethnic minorities.

She is an honorary distinguis­hed professor at Cardiff University.

The award for young person went to Savannah Lloyd, a mental health volunteer who has battled with mental health issues since the age of 11.

She now uses her experience­s to help others and is studying to become a special educations needs teacher.

David Banner, a video games company director, won the enterprise category. He has been instrument­al in the growth of Wales’ games industry, and is managing director of Wales Interactiv­e, based in Pencoed.

While October 21, 2016, marked the 50th anniversar­y of the Aberfan disaster – which claimed the lives of 116 children and 28 adults – the First Minister’s Special Award went to Sir Karl Jenkins and Dr Mererid Hopwood, who were commission­ed by S4C to compose a new choral piece in memorial of the disaster for a concert called Cantata Memoria, the world premiere for which was held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

On the group of winners, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “What a truly inspiratio­nal group of winners – I feel incredibly proud that we in Wales can call such an exceptiona­l group of people our own. You make Wales what it is.

“Congratula­tions to everyone who has won an award and to all the finalists who made the award’s shortlist. You are a credit to your families, friends and the nation; I hope you are rightly proud of your achievemen­ts.

“The terrible events that unfolded in Westminste­r this week remain close to my mind. Tonight, we have heard so many uplifting stories showing us everything that is good about human nature. Stories about bravery, about sacrifice, and about hope.

“These awards are a poignant reminder of the kindness of humanity, and an important opportunit­y to say thank you to those people who go above and beyond – often endangerin­g their own lives – to keep us safe.”

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