Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Shining Star Awards.
We’re recognising the achievements and dedication of our worthy winners and nominees of our third annual Shining Star Awards.
These twelve awards covered the period June 2024 – June 2025 with nominations relating to every area of Sarcoma UK’s support and engagement, from researchers to fundraisers and support groups to volunteers. This year included a brand new award for Sarcoma Awareness Media Excellence while three awards were chosen by the public.
Josh Allen / Fiona McAlpine
Gaz Emmerson Fundraiser of the Year
Josh Allen raised £27,900 by running the London Marathon in honour of his sister Isobel, who was diagnosed with sarcoma at just 19. Tragically, Isobel died while he was training, with her funeral held just days before the race. Despite immense personal grief, Josh found the strength to take on the marathon, completing it as a moving tribute to her life.
By sharing his story so publicly, Josh raised awareness of sarcoma with new audiences while providing comfort to other families affected by the disease.
Fiona McAlpine has been a powerful supporter of Sarcoma UK, raising over £50,000 through the London Marathon in memory of her friend Pandora Cooper-Key. Having experienced sarcoma herself, Fiona showed extraordinary resilience and determination.
Her achievement stands out as one of the largest individual fundraising totals of the year, funding vital research and support services. Beyond the money raised, Fiona’s story reached wide audiences, demonstrating the impact of sarcoma on patients and families and encouraging others to get involved
Also nominated: Annabel Gulliver and Meg Pragnell.
Lucy Whiddett, Swansea Bay NHS Trust
Healthcare Professional of the Year
A previous winner of the Tricia Moate Award, Lucy is the sarcoma support worker at Swansea Bay NHS, Wales. She runs her own clinics and builds strong working relationships with patients. Lucy is a fantastic role model for the sarcoma support worker group and amazing patient advocate.
She has been a lynchpin in helping other teams across the country understand the role of the sarcoma cancer support worker.
She organises patient events and is one of the main points of contact in her team for the holistic needs and support for newly diagnosed patients and their families.
Also nominated: Sandra McAllister, consultant plastic surgeon, Belfast; Shea Byrne, ortho-oncologist, RNOH Stanmore; Christine Millman, sarcoma clinical nurse specialist, North Bristol NHS Trust.
Dr Jeff White
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement of the Year is chosen by Sarcoma UK. This year’s recipient is Jeff White, a recently retired doctor from the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow and was the lead clinician for the Scottish Sarcoma Network. He served as a medical oncologist specialising in sarcoma for more than 20 years. He served two terms as a Sarcoma UK trustee, as a member of our Nominations and HR Sub Committee and as a member of our Research Panel. Jeff has taken part in numerous fundraisers for Sarcoma UK, including marathons, and is currently an ambassador for us.
Dr Scott Arthur MP
Political Voice of the Year
After being elected to his seat of Edinburgh South West in July 2024, Scott brought forward the Rare Cancers Bill, addressing the vital need to incentivise more research into rare cancers like sarcoma. As the Bill progressed through the Commons, he spoke about the needs of sarcoma patients during debates. Throughout this time, Scott has engaged consistently with the rare cancers community, including meeting with Sarcoma UK. In June, Scott hosted the launch of Sarcoma UK’s Unique Among Cancers report at Westminster.
Also nominated: Mabon ap Gwenfor MS; Joe Fitzpatrick MSP; Mike Nesbitt MLA.
Karen Delin
Roger Wilson Inspiration of the Year
Karen is a sarcoma patient who set up and runs the London Sarcoma Support Group. She is a former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sarcoma UK, a current ambassador for the charity and speaks at events and conferences about her sarcoma experience. Recently, she spoke to palliative care professionals about sarcoma and the need for better palliative care for patients.
Also nominated: Josh Allen, Marc Frost, Kripa and Ollie Shortt.
