Making a difference earns nominees place at awards ceremony

A HEROIC Welsh Ambulance Service responder who attended a murder scene to find the assailant stood next to the victim with a running chainsaw has been shortlisted for a prestigious Welsh award.

Julian Rudge is one of three people nominated in the bravery category for the St David Awards, which acknowledge extraordinary achievements of people in or from Wales.

Mr Rudge, of Blackwood, responded to a 999 call with a colleague and on arriving at the property they discovered a female who had been murdered following an attack. The assailant was standing next to the victim’s body still holding a running chainsaw.

The Welsh Government said: “Julian showed great presence of mind and bravely took control of the potentially very dangerous situation.

“He made sure his colleague was safely out of harm’s way and then used his excellent communications skills to calm and reassure the attacker until the police arrived and made a peaceful arrest.”

They added that Mr Rudge’s “decisive decision making” in the face of “extreme personal danger” meant that members of the public, ambulance service colleagues and police officers were protected from harm.

His actions have already seen him win a Welsh Ambulance Service Staff Award and a South Wales Argus Health and Social Care Outstanding Achievement Award.

Announcing the finalists on yesterday First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This event, now in its fifth year, is a celebration to acknowledge just some of the people who have had input to make the significant difference to someone else’s life, overcome adversity, or have achieved something truly inspirational.

“Once again the St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people. Every single one is a credit to Wales. I look forward to celebrating their outstanding achievements at the awards ceremony.”

In the citizenship category Hilary Johnston, of Cardiff, has been shortlised for her work as founder of the Cwtch Baby Bank charity set up in 2016.

The charity supports vulnerable families in the community by redistributing second-hand baby items, essential equipment, clothing, toys and toiletries for newborn babies to 24-month-olds.

The bank also provides essential items through referrals from social care, health professionals and other support agencies making sure donations received go directly to the people most in need.

Hilary was inspired to set up the baby bank after she realised there wasn’t a charity willing to receive her leftover baby equipment.

Artistic director of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) David Pountney, of Cardiff, has been category.

David has helped build a presence for WNO abroad, particularly in Oman and Dubai, where the company was the first British opera company to perform at the new Dubai Opera House last year.

BBC journalist Huw Edwards has also been nominated for the culture category.

All three of the companies nominated in the innovation, science and technology category are Cardiff-based.

DevOpsGuys is up for the award after becoming an award-winning IT services company employing more than 80 staff within four years of being founded.

IQE, the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced semiconductor wafer products, is shortlised as is Sure Chill which created a fridge which is not reliant on constant power in an effort to save energy.

In the international category Angela Gorman of Cardiff is nominated for her work with Life for African Mothers.

Angela set up the group in 2006 and has travelled to Africa to provide direct help to mothers and babies in some of the continent’s poorest countries.

Charitable organisation GÔL!, which has run coaching sessions in more than 40 countries, is also nominated.

The Phoenix Project, one of Cardiff University’s flagship engagement projects, which covers women, children and infectious diseases, is also on the shortlist.

Working with communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in health, education and poverty reduction, the project has secured more than £1m of external funding.

Alun Wyn Jones, current captain of the Wales national rugby team and the Ospreys, is nominated for the sport award. He has won nine caps for the British and Irish Lions and is one of only shortlisted in the culture