There was such a strong line-up of nominations for the Sue Stokes Award this year. Nominees included Oliver Harrisskitt, Eleanor Warrington. Becca Hooley and Ella Dickinson. Presented at the Virtual Family Day all nominees were able to be present on screen for Alastair Greener to announce the winner … Ella Dickinson!
Ella, in her own words:
“Hi everyone, my name is Ella Dickinson and I don’t have any professional qualifications nor am I a Celebrity or Paralympian, I have nothing to offer Reach apart from being me. I am just a regular 19 year old, the only difference is: I have one hand. I have been a member of the North-West Branch of Reach since I was a baby and I have loved meeting up with other members at events.
I am excited to represent Reach because I love their values and ethics and feel that no child should ever feel alone. As Reach’s slogan says, I have been truly ‘living life without limits’ as a few personal achievements of mine are being the 2014/2015/2016 Regional Trampoline Champion in the Elite Disability 2 Category, achieving my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award (nearly finished my Gold!) and raising over £800 for Reach completing the 2.6 challenge. 
I am currently studying a BSc degree in Environmental Science at York University and a very proud winner of the Sue Stokes Award 2020. I am so proud to be an ambassador for Reach, you can find me on Instagram at @ella.dickinson to get in contact with me or see what else I am up to! I have lots of photos of my achievements and life on Instagram and over time I will share more.
You may also recognise me from the Influencers Panel from the Reach Family Weekend 2020. I am going to be doing a column in the withinReach magazine too with an update on what I am up to and a life topic/story such as university life, kitchen skills, body positivity etc! If you have an idea or topic in mind please message me on Instagram – I would love your input!”
To read all about all the wonderful nominees check out the Winter issue of our withinReach page 19.