in Awards, Children & Young People, Innovation, Our people, Trust news

Leeds Children’s Hospital colleagues celebrated at The Kite Awards

On Friday 2 October colleagues from across children and young people’s services were welcomed to the 2026 Leeds Children’s Hospital Kite Awards – an annual staff recognition event which this year took place at Headingley Stadium.

The Kite Awards recognise excellence, team work, innovation and compassion across all children and young people’s services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Awards were presented across nine categories including Team of the Year, Innovation Champion and Special Moment in Care. Among those recognised were nurses, consultants, resident doctors, allied health professionals, theatre staff and ward teams as well as specific projects.

Some of our Kite Award winners, clockwise from top left: Dr James Oliver, ‘Louie’s Team’, Dr Rochelle Wilder, Dr Jenny Unwin.

163 Kite Award nominations were received in 2026 and 250 guests attended the event including colleagues from across Leeds Teaching Hospitals and partners from local charities that support Leeds Children’s Hospital.  

Dr Liz Garthwaite (LTHT Chief Medical Officer) opened the event and shared her thanks with all Leeds Children’s Hospital’s colleagues for their individual contributions over the past 12 months.

Guests saw watched prepared video nominations before the awards were presented by Dr Liz Evans (Clinical Director), Jo Haigh (General Manager) and Bridget Sutton (Head of Nursing) – Leeds Children’s Hospital Triumvirate Team.

Bridget Sutton, Dr Liz Evans, Jo Haigh (Leeds Children’s Hospital Triumvirate Team)

The Kite Awards is such an important initiative for Leeds Children’s Hospital. It provides colleagues from all services with a way to recognise their colleagues’ outstanding achievements. Kite Awards shine a light on the really special moments whether that’s a cutting edge innovation or a colleague who just goes the extra mile. We’re extremely proud of all our winners and everyone who has been nominated.

Jo Haigh – General Manager, Leeds Children’s Hospital

The 2026 Kite Awards has been made possible with the support of Leeds Hospitals Charity as well as additional contributions from on-site charities: Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, Millie Wright Children’s Charity and Candlelighters Charity.

Sarah Griffin (Leeds Hospitals Charity Director of Engagement) spoke to Leeds Children’s Hospital colleagues to highlight charity collaborations in 2026:

Every day, you make a difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients. Then you go one step further, coming up with weird and wonderful ideas to make Leeds Children’s Hospital an even better place to be. So far in 2026, we’ve already said yes to 33 new projects, providing £700,000 of charity funding. That’s 33 brilliant ideas that have come directly from you to improve the experience of patients and families. It’s incredible.

Sarah Griffin – Director of Engagement, Leeds Hospitals Charity
Sarah Griffin (Director of Engagement, Leeds Hospitals Charity)

Award Categories

Team of the Year

Recognising the team’s dedication to patient care and safety whilst also promoting staff involvement, wellbeing and development. The team are role models within children’s services, demonstrating care and compassion in everything they do.

Highly Commended: Patient Flow Coordinators
Highly Commended: Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day Unit (CHODU)

Keeping Patients Safe Award

Recognising Rochelle and Leah’s collective impact in their role as Named Doctors for Safeguarding. Their tireless and meticulous approach is vital in keeping some of our most vulnerable patients safe.

Highly Commended: Katy Liddle (Reporting Radiographer Practitioner)
Highly Commended: Ruth Cadman, Sarita Boscoe and the Blood Pressure Improvement Group

Inspiring Colleague of the Year

In recognition of James’s inspiring leadership and professionalism, his calm and compassionate approach to patient care and limitless support for his colleagues.

Highly Commended: Alain Mooneesamy (Senior Perioperative Practitioner)
Highly Commended: Hannah Saven (Ward L51 Sister and Professional Nurse Advocate)

Innovation Champion Award

Recognising the team’s trailblazing approach in establishing the ‘game-changing’ Ambulatory Chemotherapy service which is improving access to care and quality of life for patients and families.

Highly Commended: Health Equity Pop-up Hubs
Highly Commended: Paediatric Emergency Department Research Team

Special Moment in Care Award

Recognising the multiple teams that worked together seamlessly to deliver time‑critical treatment, rehabilitation, encouragement and support that shaped 8-year-old Louie’s extraordinary recovery from stroke and his return to the football pitch.

Highly Commended: Ward L30 Team
Highly Commended: Teen and Young Adult Oncology Team

Leeds Hospitals Charity Funded Project of the Year

Recognising the creation of a charity funded Parent Hub on the Neonatal Unit at St James’s University Hospital. The hub includes a designated expressing room, a wellbeing/work-from-home area for working parents and a refurbished sibling space.

Highly Commended: Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FFES) Service
Highly Commended: CAT Unit’s ‘The Cat’s Pyjamas’ Project

Rising Star Award

As a Resident Doctor Jenny has brought exceptional energy, commitment, and enthusiasm to the Paediatric Medical Team. She is highly motivated to learn and consistently supports colleagues across the multi-disciplinary team.

Highly Commended: Amber Heraty (Senior Rota Coordinator)
Highly Commended: Nicola Dixon (Clinical Support Worker)

Flying High Award

Recognising the role Joanna plays in flying the kite for Leeds Children Hospital not just as an exceptionally skilled Occupational Therapist but also through her research activity, conference presentations, mentoring and as an inspiring role model.

Highly Commended: Dr Menie Rompola
Highly Commended: Children’s Nursing Education Team

Delivering the Best Award

As the Ward Manager for Ward L51 Debbie strives to deliver the highest quality care for her patients and families while also being supportive to all staff and colleagues. Debbie’s colleagues say ‘when Debbie is around the hospital is a happier and safer place to be’

Highly Commended: Katie Reid (Paediatric Theatre Scheduler)
Highly Commended: Neuromuscular Research Team

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