Hosted by Davina McCall, The Sun’s annual Who Cares Wins awards celebrate our healthcare heroes from the frontline NHS staff to the ordinary people who go above and beyond. 

Produced by Thames (a Fremantle label), the awards sponsored by The National Lottery will air later this year on Channel 4. 

Last year saw a host of VIPs including Prince William, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, David Beckham, Sir Rod Stewart and more to pay tribute to those who went above and beyond to keep their communities safe.

Victoria Newton, Sun Editor-in-Chief says “The Sun’s Who Cares Wins health awards are one of the most important nights in our calendar. Every year I am moved by the stories we hear from our brilliant NHS, healthcare workers and unsung heroes. Last year saw us bring these inspirational stories to a whole new audience through our partnerships with Channel 4, Thames and NHS Charities Together and I’m very much looking forward to celebrating them once again.”

Davina McCall said: “I’m enormously proud to host these awards, which recognise some of the most amazing people on the planet. It’s a privilege to meet these everyday heroes and celebrate their truly inspirational stories.”

Tom Beck, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “We’re thrilled to be broadcasting The Sun’s Who Cares Win awards for the second year, bringing the amazing and inspiring stories of the nominees and winners to Channel 4 viewers.” 

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “It’s a privilege and an honour to be part of something as special as the Who Cares Wins awards, and we’re delighted to partner with the Sun for another year of this wonderful event. 

“We all have personal reasons to be thankful to our NHS and the incredible individuals behind it – and the Who Cares Wins awards show exactly how much they mean to us as a nation. We can’t wait to celebrate this year’s nominees, and give our heartfelt thanks for their heroic work.”

Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of The National Lottery operator Camelot, says: “The National Lottery is incredibly proud to sponsor, for the second year, The Sun’s Who Cares Wins campaign to honour all those who work in the health sector across the UK. As a nation it is really important that we come together and thank our incredible health workers for all that they have done and all that they continue to do on our behalf.

With all the added pressures on people and communities we often need to rely on these unsung heros to help us during times of need.

We know that the term hero can be bandied about a bit too regularly. But for me, it has never been more apt than describing those selfless people who are working on the front line every day providing help to those in need across the health and wellbeing spectrum.

A big thank you from all of us to all of you.”

The awards were launched earlier this year by Sun columnist Deborah James. At the time Deborah had said: “For the last five years, I’ve been so honoured to be a judge at the awards, present awards and meet all the incredible nominees. It’s an incredible event and gives us all the chance to give our NHS heroes the recognition they deserve.

“I am in awe of the NHS, I owe the last five years of my life to them. No one doctor, nurse or specialist has kept me alive for the last five years, it’s taken an army.

…To all those NHS workers who have been there for me over the last five years, I just want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

The winners of the Who Cares Wins Awards 2022 will be revealed at a star-studded ceremony later this year. The awards’ location and date will be revealed in due course.

This year’s awards categories are: 

BEST DOCTOR – an NHS GP, hospital doctor or consultant

BEST MIDWIFE – an NHS midwife who has provided great care for a woman or her baby

BEST TEAM – any NHS or healthcare team on the front line or behind the scenes that has gone above and beyond the call of duty

BEST NURSE – an NHS nurse in any field

BEST HEALTH CHARITY – a health charity that has helped you or a loved one

UNSUNG HERO – a person who gives up their time to volunteer at a health charity, hospital, hospice or similar 

YOUNG HERO – open to under-18s, a person who has gone above and beyond. It could be a carer, campaigner or someone else.

THE CAROLINE FLACK MENTAL HEALTH HERO – for a significant contribution to mental health 

999 HERO – an emergency services worker or team whose bravery or quick thinking deserves recognition 

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY’S LOCAL HEALTH HERO AWARDS – sponsored and chosen by The National Lottery

CHRISTINA NEWBURY MEMORIAL AWARD – while the previous awards are all open for reader nominations, the judges will also recognise special achievement through this award in memory of our late Health Editor Christina Newbury, who was instrumental in establishing Who Cares Wins.