The Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Wales have recognised Josh Llewellyn-Jones, from Vale of Glamorgan, and Jayne Goodrick, from Vale of Clwyd, for their outstanding voluntary service at a Downing Street reception to mark St David’s Day.
Josh Llewellyn-Jones, aged 31, has raised over £750,000 from extreme fitness challenges in support of cystic fibrosis charities and his own foundation to encourage children with the condition to exercise. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child, Josh was told by doctors that he would not live into his thirties. Inspired to raise awareness of the condition and show the importance of still being physically active, Josh has undertaken a range of endurance challenges such as ultra-marathons, and became a world-record holder after weight-lifting one million kilos in 24 hours. His challenges have raised money in support of his foundation ‘CF Warriors’, which helps children with cystic fibrosis get into sport at an early age by providing dedicated packs giving tips on exercise and fitness. ‘CF Warriors’ has also provided an online community for children with cystic fibrosis who are isolated from others with the condition due to risks of cross-infection.
Jayne Goodrick is one of the UK’s leading advocates for people with dementia and their carers. Following her husband Chris’s diagnosis with mixed dementia at the age of 50, Jayne has worked to empower carers of people with dementia by building an information and support network across the UK. She has advised both the UK and Welsh Governments on dementia, most recently with the Welsh Dementia Action Plan. Jayne has been dedicated to supporting Chris’s work as an international speaker on the condition, and sharing her expertise as a carer to support the 670,000 people in the UK who are dementia carers. With her husband, Jayne also featured on a BBC Panorama documentary in 2016 about living with dementia, which reached over 2.8 million viewers.
Josh and Jayne are among the latest recipients of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. Josh and Jayne were presented with their awards by the Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns MP.
In a personal letter to Josh, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“You should feel very proud of your extraordinary fundraising efforts and the transformational work of your foundation. Through ‘CF Warriors’, you are inspiring young people with cystic fibrosis to enjoy exercise and live the fullest lives they can. You are an inspiration and I wish you the very best with your future challenges.”
In a personal letter to Jayne, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“You have shown remarkable resilience and dedication in so openly sharing your personal experiences of caring for your husband Chris with his diagnosis of dementia. Your expertise by experience is providing invaluable support to thousands of carers across the UK and to the work of government and charities in tackling this terrible condition.”
Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, said:
“Congratulations to both Josh and Jayne on receiving their well-deserved awards. Their incredible work demonstrates the real difference volunteers across Wales are making in their communities and beyond, and it is very fitting that their contributions should be recognised by the Prime Minister at Downing Street today as we celebrate St David’s Day.”
