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Heroic emergency service workers, a mental health campaigner and a craft beer brewing company are among those shortlisted for a prestigious Welsh award.

The St David Awards, which were inaugurated in 2014, recognise the achievements of people and organisations throughout Wales.

There are 25 nominees across eight categories, with winners in each category being announced at the St David Awards ceremony at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on March 22.

Announcing the finalists, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This event, now in its fifth year, is a celebration to acknowledge just some of the people who have had input to make the significant difference to someone else’s life, overcome adversity or have achieved something truly inspirational.

“Once again, the St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people. Every single one is a credit to Wales.”

Here are the nominees in each category.

Bravery

Julian Rudge, Blackwood

Responding to a 999 call, paramedic Julian and a colleague arrived at a property to discover a female who had been murdered after being attacked.

With the assailant standing next to the victim’s body – and holding a running chainsaw – Julian made sure his colleague was safely out of harm’s way before keeping the attacker calm and in situ until police arrived.

Laura Matthews

On a summer evening in 2015, Laura – a call handler at the public service centre at South Wales Police headquarters – was alone driving when she came across a violent confrontation between two men, which had left one of them covered in blood.

Laura left the relative safety of her car to try to part the men, realising when she was standing between them that one of the men had a hammer – and managed to persuade the man to hand the hammer over.

When the confrontation continued, Laura diffused the situation and administered first aid before co-ordinating the police and ambulance response at the scene.

PCSO Patrick Dunbar, South Wales Police

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

While off duty and returning home from a family shopping trip, Patrick drove past a house with smoke billowing from its windows in Swansea and returned to the scene on foot with his wife Joanne.

With thick smoke coming from the house, Patrick went inside after hearing screams coming from within and found two females in the kitchen. One of them had suffered severe burns to her legs and was unable to walk, and Patrick carried her to safety and his wife Joanne administered first aid.

Citizenship

Chris Roberts, Rhuddlan

After being diagnosed with mixed dementia at the age of 50, Chris became a keen campaigner and advocate for others affected by dementia and a leading voice on a national and international stage. He set up and runs a support group for people affected by dementia, and is an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador and Dementia Research UK Champion.

Hilary Johnston, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

In 2016, Hilary set up the Cwtch Baby Bank charity after she realised there wasn’t a charity willing to accept her leftover baby equipment.

Since its launch, the charity – which supports vulnerable families in the community by redistributing baby items, essential equipment, clothing, toys and toiletries for newborns and toddlers – has helped more than 750 families.

Mair Elliott, Pembrokeshire

Mair, who has autism spectrum disorder, spends her time campaigning for improved services and increased awareness of both mental health and autism.

She provides written and verbal evidence to government committees, sits on expert reference groups, participates in television programmes, speaks at events, and blogs about her experiences.

She is a trustee of Hafal, Wales’ largest service provider to people with mental illness, and a research champion for the National Centre for Mental Health.

Culture

David Pountney, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

David, artistic director of the Welsh National Opera (WNO), took up the position in 2011 but has been collaborating with the company since 1975 when he directed a ground-breaking Janácek cycle of operas.

Since 2011, David has made a significant contribution to the wider arts scene in Wales and encouraged partnership working between arts organisations.

While continuing to work around the world as a freelance opera director, David has also built a presence for WNO abroad, particularly in Oman and Dubai, where the company was the first British opera company to perform at the new Dubai Opera House in 2017.

Huw Edwards, Bridgend

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The BBC News at Ten presenter, who has been a broadcast journalist for more than 30 years, has in recent years presented the main ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games, anchored the BBC coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Wedding, and the inauguration of President Obama.

Lynwen Brennan

Lynwen is at the helm of one of the most successful and powerful brands within the international film sector: she is the general manager of Lucasfilm – best known for creating and producing the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.

Lynwen remains passionate about Wales and was instrumental in the decision to establish ILM London, a world-class visual effects and animation studio, which has created 400 jobs, including a research and development and stage department designed to promote innovation in filmmaking.

Enterprise

John Davies Recliners

The Rhondda-based company supplies and manufactures made-to-measure mobility reclining furniture and specialist seating.

With managing director John’s more than 30 years’ experience in the furniture and manufacturing business and an established workforce of 37 employees, Recliners continues to develop by offering formal training and development courses to staff.

Tiny Rebel Brewing Co

Founded in 2012 by brothers-in-law Bradley Cummings and Gareth Williams, Rogerstone-based Tiny Rebel Brewing Co now employs 120 members of staff and exports to 35 countries.

The company has won some of the UK’s top brewing awards, picking up Brewery Business of the Year in 2016, an overall bronze in the Champion Beer of Britain Awards in 2017, and their Cwtch ale winning Champion Beer of Britain in 2015.

William Watkins, Radnor Hills

The Radnor Hills Water Company was founded by William Watkins in 1990 when he began bottling water from a spring on his family farm and supplying couplets to the airline industry.

The company, a significant employer in rural mid Wales, has around 180 employees and, as well as offering a product development service for private label customers, produces a range of own-brand drinks products – from bottled water to juices and soft drinks.

Innovation, Science & Technology

DevOpsGuys, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

From humble beginnings in 2014 in a Cardiff co-working space, DevOpsGuys has rapidly grown to become an award-winning internationally recognised IT services company, currently employing more than 80.

Year on year, they are strengthening their client portfolio, working with global multi-national companies and public sector departments, while investing in training and development for staff – which has resulted in an academy offering apprenticeships, internships and graduate placements.

IQE, Cardiff

Dr Drew Nelson co-founded IQE in 1988 and has led the Welsh semiconductor company to become an international world leader in the supply of epitaxial wafers for a wide range of products. Dr Nelson has been actively driving the establishment of the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster in Wales, which is one of the biggest science activities in Wales at the moment.

Sure Chill, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Sure Chill is a ground-breaking cooling technology company set to revolutionise the way the world cools.

Unlike conventional refrigerators, Sure Chill technology doesn’t need constant power. It harnesses a natural phenomenon in water to store energy, enabling weeks of continuous cooling without the need for constant power.

The company has support from two of the world’s leading foundations; the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation and the Shell Foundation, who recognise Sure Chill’s unprecedented potential in helping solve separate global challenges.

Sure Chill is now in partnership discussions with some of the world’s largest brands to help solve their cooling and energy challenges.

International

Angela Gorman, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Angela set up Life for African Mothers in 2006, formally called Hope for Grace Kodindo. Angela goes to Africa to provide help directly to mothers and babies in the some of the poorest communities, and is tireless in her efforts to ensure safe pregnancies and births for women unable to access essential care and medication.

GÔL!, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The charitable organisation is run by fans of the Welsh national football team.

Since its creation Gôl! has visited children’s homes and hospitals in more than 40 countries and has run coaching sessions from New York to Africa.

Gôl! was founded by fans who “wanted to make a difference” and to thank the countries where Wales was playing for the welcome they received.

In 2017, they made the fourth of its charity drives, this time to Georgia, donating gifts to children’s homes along the way.

Mike & Colette Hughes, Rwanda

Soon after the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis, Mike and Colette helped to found the Rwanda UK Goodwill Organisation to support development in Rwanda.

In 2004, Mike was appointed as the Rwandan Government advisor on science, technology and innovation.

The country is now a leader in Africa in using science, technology and innovation as a key driver for growth and development and the alleviation of poverty.

Mike regularly represents the Rwandan Government at major international summits, showcasing Rwanda’s success in using science and technology to support economic development and reduce poverty.

The Phoenix Project, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

One of Cardiff University’s flagship engagement projects, it works with communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in health, education and poverty reduction.

Sport

Aled Sion Davies MBE

Mr Davies is the triple world champion and double Paralympic Gold Medal winner for discus and shot put who has proved to be an inspirational role model for young people from Wales. Aled won a gold and bronze medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and gold at Rio 2016.

In the 2017 London World Para-athletics Championship, Aled went on to set a new world record of 17.52m to win gold in the F42 shot put.

Having already claimed gold in the F42 discus, it was the third time in succession the 26-year-old Welshman has triumphed in both events at the competition.

Alun Wyn Jones

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

The Wales rugby captain and British & Irish Lions player began his rugby career playing for Bonymaen RFC.

Making his debut for Wales in June 2006 against Argentina, he was a member of the Wales side that completed the Grand Slam in the 2008 Six Nations, toured New Zealand last summer with the Lions, and remains a stalwart for the Ospreys.

Hollie Arnold MBE

(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Hollie is the current Paralympic and double IPC World Champion and world record holder for the F46 javelin.

In 2008, she was the youngest member of the Great Britain Paralympics Team at the Beijing Olympic Games at the age of 14.

In 2011 Hollie stepped up to the senior level representing Britain at the IPC Athletics World Championships where she won the bronze medal in the F46 javelin, and in 2012, she took part in her second Paralympic Games, in London.

In 2016 Hollie took part in her third Paralympics where she won gold with a world record-breaking throw, and in July 2017 she won gold at the 2017 IPC Athletics Wold Championships in London – beating her own world record.

Hollie was made an MBE in 2017 in recognition of her inspirational sporting achievements, and was recently confirmed for Team Wales for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Young Person

Bethany Roberts, Milford Haven

Bethany became a youth representative on Milford Haven Town Council and chair of the Pembrokeshire Youth Council.

As part of her role on the youth council, she has helped organise many social events for older people and participated in committee meetings at the National Assembly for Wales and Westminster to ensure the voice of young people is being heard.

Jasmine Williams, Llantwit Fardre, near Pontypridd

After witnessing her first experience of homelessness in her county over Christmas 2016, Jasmine has gone on to raise £2,774.14 after working to raise money to help other homeless people in her county borough.

Mercy Ngulube, Cardiff

(Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The former chairwoman of the Children’s HIV Association’s Youth Committee drives campaigns on behalf of young people living with HIV.

Mercy has been a spokeswoman for young people living with HIV both nationally, and internationally.