Heywood sign language champion Jade Kilduff shortlisted for Pride of Britain award

Heywood sign language champion Jade Kilduff has been shortlisted for a Pride of Britain award.

Jade, 20, who has been nominated for her inspirational work in teaching people sign language and making life more accessible for those with disabilities, is one of four ITV Granada Reports Regional Fundraiser of the Year finalists.

Jade initially began teaching her little brother, Christian, six, sign language when he was a young child. Born with several disabilities, his family was told he would never communicate. Jade began to teach her little brother Makaton sign language, which led to the birth of their YouTube channel, Sign Along With Us.

From there, the initiative snowballed 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 last year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent.
 

Read more about Sign Along With Us: Sign language and inclusivity champion Jade Kilduff collects British Citizens AwardPublished: 10 September 2021
Sign Along With Us holiday home dreams realised thanks to generous donationsPublished: 02 May 2021
Sign Along With Us Britain's Got Talent audition is one of the top 10 most viewed YouTube videos in 2020Published: 16 December 2020
Flying the flag for inclusivity: Sign Along With Us runners-up of Britain’s Got TalentPublished: 12 October 2020
Heywood teenager and little brother begin online sign language channelPublished: 30 January 2019

Since then, Jade has helped raise thousands of pounds for the Sign Along With Us fully-accessible holiday home static caravan in Blackpool. The holiday home has been modified with adaptations to accommodate all kinds of disabilities – and Jade hopes to be able to add a second holiday home.

Typically, a similar campsite may have two or three accessible static homes – which are often booked up for months in advance.

Speaking in May 2021, Jade said: “This is going to be used by people who can’t afford to go on holiday, people who struggle to get on holiday because it’s so hard to get on holiday sometimes when you’re in a wheelchair, or you have disabilities. If you’re coming on holiday we want to make it as easy and relaxing as possible.

“It’s perfect; it’s going to be so much fun for people.”

The caravan is located at Cala Gran Haven Caravan Park in Fleetwood, which has access to a range of activities suitable for everyone, including adapted wheelchairs for the beach, a swimming pool with hoists, and a climbing wall for people in wheelchairs and is close to Blackpool.

Jade also applied for Sign Along With Us to be awarded charitable status as the Sign Along With Us Foundation.

Donations towards a second caravan can be made via JustGiving.

The winner will be revealed on Granada Reports, ITV at 6pm on Friday (1 October) and will be invited to attend the Pride of Britain ceremony in London.