A Truly Special Day at the London Palladium
A few weeks back, I had one of those days I know I’ll hold onto for a long time.
I had the honour of attending the National Prince’s Trust Awards at the London Palladium as a finalist for the NatWest Prince’s Trust Enterprise Award. Even writing that still feels a little surreal.
The Prince’s Trust has played such a big part in my journey with BearHugs. The support I received in those early days helped me turn a small idea into something real. So being there, representing my business, felt incredibly special.
The Trust supports young people across the UK to build confidence, skills and businesses of their own. It’s something I’ll always feel grateful to have been part of
A Day Full of “Pinch Me” Moments
The event itself took place at the London Palladium, was presented by Ant and Dec and Prince Charles presented the awards, which felt like a moment in itself. There was a red carpet and celebrities everywhere you looked. Walking into such an iconic venue and being surrounded by so many inspiring people was something I won’t forget.
Meeting the other finalists was one of the highlights. Everyone had their own story, their own challenges, and their own reasons for being there. It was such a reminder of how many incredible things people are building, often quietly, behind the scenes.
Another real highlight was being interviewed by Tom Fletcher and Giovanna Fletcher. They were so kind and easy to talk to, which made the whole experience feel much more relaxed than I expected.
Here’s a little glimpse of the day
And another look behind the scenes:
Feeling Grateful
I didn’t come away with the award, but that really wasn’t the part that stayed with me.
What mattered was being there. Being recognised. And being surrounded by people who genuinely want to make a difference. I was treated with so much kindness from the moment I arrived to the moment I left.
It felt like a reminder of why I started BearHugs in the first place. To send a little comfort, to help people feel connected, and to show that small acts of kindness really do matter.
I came away feeling proud, grateful, and quietly motivated for what comes next.
