Young Sarcoma Voice of the Year 2025

Every year, the Shining Star Awards celebrate the people and communities who make an outstanding contribution to raising awareness of sarcoma.

The Young Sarcoma Voice of the Year award recognises young people and groups who use their energy, creativity and platforms to bring sarcoma into the public eye and inspire others to take notice.

Meet this year’s nominees and cast your vote for who you think should be recognised in 2025.

St Paul’s Catholic College

In memory of their former student Oliver, who died of sarcoma, the St Paul’s Catholic College community in West Sussex came together in 2025 to raise both funds and awareness of sarcoma. Through sponsored walks, sports events, cake sales and creative challenges, staff and pupils sparked conversations across the school and local community about a cancer that many had never heard of before. Their efforts not only exceeded their ambitious £15,000 fundraising target, but also helped embed sarcoma awareness among hundreds of young people and their families.

Sean Tilson

Sean set himself the extraordinary challenge of running 500km in just 10 days, not only to raise vital funds but to shine a spotlight on sarcoma. Along the way, he spoke to more than 600 young people in schools about mindset and resilience, sparking conversations about rare cancers in places where they are rarely discussed. His story reached thousands more through coverage on BBC Radio, The Independent and the Daily Mail. By sharing the highs and lows of his journey so openly, and documenting it for a forthcoming film, Sean has helped bring sarcoma to the attention of a far wider audience.

Evelyn ‘Evie’ Watkin

Evie was just 15 when she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2023. From the start, she chose to share her journey on TikTok, reaching thousands of people and raising awareness among young audiences who might otherwise never hear of sarcoma. She also launched a fundraiser to support Sarcoma UK, determined to push for more research and better treatments and has raised over £25,000 to date. Evie died in November 2024, aged 16, but her courage and commitment to using her voice for change continue to raise awareness today, with her parents proudly carrying on her efforts in her memory.

Carly Wilson

Carly, 23, from Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with PAWS-GIST, a very rare sarcoma, in her teens. Since becoming a Sarcoma UK Ambassador in 2024, she has used her platform as Miss World Northern Ireland to raise awareness of sarcoma nationally and internationally. Carly’s openness about her diagnosis has brought a rare cancer into mainstream conversations, helping others to feel less alone and ensuring that sarcoma is seen and heard in spaces it too often isn’t.

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Shining Star Awards: Young Sarcoma Voice of the Year 2025