Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star AwardsCancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards
Nominate your child today
The Star Awards recognise the courage shown by children and young people facing cancer. Every eligible child will receive a trophy, t-shirt, certificate and a £50 TK Maxx voucher. Siblings will get a special certificate too.
How to nominate
We can only accept nominations from a parent or guardian. Every child nominated will receive an award, as long as they:
- are under 18 on the date of nomination and live in the UK.
- have been treated for cancer in the past five years at the date of nomination.
- haven’t received a Star Award before (previously known as a Kids & Teens or Little Star Award).
Courage Looks Like Me, a poem by Joseph Aaron Coelho, OBE FRSL
Renowned children’s poet and author, Joseph Aaron Coelho OBE FRSL, helped launch the 2024-25 Star Awards with a special poem inspired by five of our Stars from across the UK. Click below to hear the poem “Courage Looks Like Me” and read the stories of Saif, Lily, Fearne, Stanley and Benny.
Meet some of our Stars
Last year, more than 500 children were nominated to receive the special trophy and pack.
Stanley was diagnosed with Wilms tumour in February 2023. He had stage 3 cancer in his left kidney, meaning both the tumour and his kidney had to be removed, followed by radiotherapy treatment.
He’s been the bravest, strongest and most determined little boy. He is so resilient – he amazes me. Thank you so much for his Star Award! And a big thank you for his sister Isabella's sibling Star Award certificate too - it meant so much to both of them.
Sadie, Stanley’s mum
Bebe was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 14 after experiencing extreme fatigue, itchy skin and night sweats. Receiving her Star Award helped her to keep positive during treatment.
It was such good timing when the Star Award came.She was half-way through treatment, and it was tough. Focusing on something positive was really special for her.
Anne-Marie, Bebe’s mum
Zara was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2019. She relapsed in 2022 and had intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, before ringing the bell to mark the end of treatment in May 2023.
What she’s been through has been devastating but she is the bravest person, still smiles and we always focus on the positives. They’re all reasons why she deserves her Star Award.
Taruna, Zara's mum
Meet our supporters
We’ve teamed up with celebrity supporters from the worlds of entertainment, TV and music that have kindly signed the certificates for all the children and young people who receive an award. This year’s supporters are:
- Pixie Lott, singer
- Olivia Neill, YouTuber
- Dr Ranj, doctor and TV personality
- Jean-Christophe Novelli, chef
- Phil Gallagher, TV presenter
- Aston Merrygold, singer
- Cat Sandion, TV presenter
- Flossie Clegg, YouTuber
- Lewys Ball, YouTubers
- Jim Chapman, YouTuber
Our corporate partner TK Maxx
TK Maxx has been supporting Cancer Research UK since 2004 and is the biggest corporate supporter of research into children’s and young people’s cancers for the charity raising almost £49.5m for research since the partnership began. TK Maxx also generously supports our Star Awards scheme, providing the £50 vouchers for our Star Awards packs and supporting us in raising awareness of the awards.
Help raise awareness of children’s and young people’s cancers
Participate in publicity activities
After receiving the award, some families help raise awareness of children’s and young people’s cancers and the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards. This can help highlight the importance of our research and make our work relevant and compelling to the widest possible audience. There is no obligation to take part in publicity to receive the award, but you can opt in when filling in the online form.
If you are happy to be involved, you might appear in the media identified by your name, town and age, possibly being photographed or filmed too. You would also need to be comfortable speaking about your child's illness and treatment.
How is your personal information being handled
By Cancer Research UK:
- any information you provide will be stored in confidence and in line with our privacy policy
- we’d only pass on your contact details to individual journalists with your consent
- we'll do our best to make sure that anything we write about you is factually correct and, where possible, approved by you
By the media:
- we don’t have control over what journalists may write and it can be difficult to predict if any activity will result in coverage
- it’s unusual for newspapers or broadcast journalists to pay families for telling their story - however some magazines may offer payment. If you’re offered money for sharing your story and choose to accept, this would be an agreement between you and the media title. Cancer Research UK can’t get involved with negotiations
About Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People
Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is the part of Cancer Research UK dedicated to supporting research into cancers affecting 0-24-year-olds. Learn more about our world-leading research and ways to get involved.