Celebrating the Inspirational Family Member of the Year Finalists for the CFF Awards 2023
The Celebrating Forces Families (CFF) Awards Team is so excited to congratulate its three amazing finalists for the most Inspirational Family Member of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at a celebrity-presented Awards evening in London on 28th April.
The finalists are:
Molly Williams
Sereima Tawake
Amanda Pike
Molly Williams
Molly, 10 years of age has been nominated for her fundraising efforts for the RAF Association, whilst living with Type One Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Molly, with help from her father – an RAF Veteran have raised in the region of £10k.
Molly Williams
Molly says:
“Me and my Daddy came up with the idea that I would cycle in my wheelchair bicycle 84 laps around an olympic track at the Sheffield Institute of Sport - one lap for every night I have spent in Intensive Care. Daddy wanted to match that with 84 miles running around the building without stopping to sleep. Together we did it and I think we have raised about £10,000.
“Thank you so much for considering me for this award. I don't quite believe it, because I am only 10 and I don't see myself as inspirational. I just wanted to give something back to RAFA, after they were so kind to buy me my perfect bed that helps me sit up when I need to. I wanted to help make other people happy, the way the RAFA has made me happy.”
Sereima Tawake
Sereima Tawake came from Fiji in December 2009 to join her Serving partner in the Armed Forces here in the UK. There was almost nothing available to support her in her transition to life in the UK and she wanted to make a difference for others.
Sereima Tawake
Sereima says:
“From then it was always my dream to be part of a safe space to help women, especially Forces spouses to get them the help they need. I am proud to say that 10 years later in July 2019 that dream was conceived by launching of Marama Alliance UK, that I am a founding member for. Even before MAUK was established I had always taken the time to help military spouses at ours and other camps with support in various areas. I love what I do for the Forces community.
“I am humbled to be nominated for this Award. I really did not expect it, but it's comforting to know that the work we do from a platform of LOVE for those in our Forces community is getting recognised.
Amanda Pike
Amanda Pike Suddenly lost her beloved 23 year serving RAF husband whilst supporting her young family, however through it all continued identifying a need and helped bring to life the Military Maternity Voices Partnership and Military Care Navigator within the NHS in Lincolnshire with the hope that similar teams will be rolled out country-wide.
Amanda Pike
Amanda says:
“It comes from my heart when I say that this nomination and being selected as a finalist is absolutely overwhelming, I am incredibly touched.
“What has driven me onwards is helping and hearing more from fellow Forces family members, where I was able to highlight and evidence a need to NHS Lincolnshire's ICB Maternity and Neonatal transformation programme and NHSE (Armed Forces) for added support for families during pregnancy and when they have a young family. It became evident that during a period of their lives that should be magical and carefree, they in some cases were lost, alone and struggling to navigate a maternity world that civilian families may not be in comparison.
“I hope that my children and husband, wherever he is, will be incredibly proud of me for my part in something so wonderful. Being a finalist in this alone will go into my little ones’ memory boxes to see what Mummy was doing for others when our world fell apart, and all because she wanted the very best for fellow military families no matter what.”
Headline sponsors, Barclays – who have also sponsored this award are excited to meet all three finalists at the CFF Awards evening.
Paula Molyneux, Barclays Armed Forces Transition, Employment and Resettlement (AFTER) Programme Manager adds:
“Molly, Sereima and Amanda’s stories are the essence of what Celebrating Forces Families is about. Their passion and drive to help others is inspirational and on behalf of the Armed Forces community we thank them for their hard work. We wish them all luck at the Awards evening in April, when the winner is announced.”
The Awards evening
Friday 28th April 2023 will see a formal dinner and awards ceremony held at the Victory Services Club, London. The Awards are supported by the Ministry of Defence through its Partner Employment Working Group.
Actor and SSAFA Ambassador, Antony Cotton is also returning as a guest presenter at the Awards.
Follow the CFF Team as the 2023 events unfold:
· Twitter: @CFFAwards
· Facebook: @CelebratingForcesFamilies
· Insta: @celebratingforcesfamilies