Jade Kilduff receives prestigious British Citizens Award

Sign language and inclusivity champion Jade Kilduff has been named as a recipient of the British Citizens Award, a prestigious award recognising the meaningful impact nominees have in making life better for other people.

Jade was nominated for the award by one of the charities she is an ambassador of, Peeps HIE, for her charity work, fundraising, contribution to community and commitment to changing the lives of others.

The formal medal and certificate presentation had been due to take place at the Palace of Westminster this month, but has unfortunately been postponed due to the pandemic.

Peeps HIE supports those affected by HIE (hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy), a lack of oxygen to the brain before, during, or shortly after labour.

HIE can cause injury, and the severity of this can vary greatly, says the charity, often given a grade from 1, which is mild, to 3, which is severe.

 

 

Jade said: “I feel very overwhelmed with emotion but extremely excited to receive The British Citizens Award. I am so grateful for the kind nomination; it was so unexpected but so appreciated.”

Both Jade and her little brother, Christian, five, are ambassadors of the charity as Christian had a HIE event after needing 24 minutes of resuscitation when he was stillborn at birth, given a less than 1% chance of coming out of a coma.

When the family were told Christian had a grade 3 HIE injury, no family member knew what the condition was or what it could lead to, or knew anyone who had experience with HIE.

Peeps is changing that, by providing families whose child has had a HIE event with information packs, in addition to supporting families throughout their journey, regardless of outcome.

It was with Christian in mind that Jade started the Sign Along With Us group in 2019, teaching Makaton sign language so she could communicate with her little brother. This grew and Jade began offering free signing classes to other local children and their families, to improve the lives of those with disabilities.

After learning ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman – their unofficial motto – the Sign Along With Us group auditioned for – and ultimately placed second – in this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent.
 

Read more: Flying the flag for inclusivity: Sign Along With Us runners-up of Britain’s Got TalentPublished: 12 October 2020

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the full group of 70 weren’t on stage – but Jade, Christian and some of the group performed on stage, joined by the rest of the signers via a big screen.

Wearing matching white and gold ‘Sign Along With Us’ tracksuits, the group performed country pop power ballad ‘The Climb’, originally by Miley Cyrus for the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie.

David Walliams’ golden buzzer act were met by standing ovations from judges, before David branded their performance as ‘magical’.