Gareth Thomas and Russell T Davies among winners of St David Awards 2020

Credit: PA/Welsh Government

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas and screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies are among some of this year's St David Awards winners.

Recipients of the awards were announced on Wednesday evening by the First Minister. Other winners include campaigner Rachel Williams and the man at the helm of Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club, Wasem Said.

The awards were due to be held in March but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. They recognise people for their contributions to things like culture, community spirit and humanitarian causes.

The categories include: Bravery, Humanitarian, Community Spirit, Young Person, Innovation, Science and Technology, Business, Culture, Sport and the First Minister’s Special Award.

This year’s Special Award winner is former international rugby player Gareth Thomas, who now campaigns against stigma around sexuality and HIV.

The full list of the St David Award 2020 winners:

  • Joel Snarr and Daniel Nicholson– Bravery Award

  • Rachel Williams – Humanitarian Award

  • Wasem Said – Community Spirit Award

  • Tyler Ford – Young Person Award

  • Professor David Worsley – Innovation, Science and Technology Award

  • Moneypenny – Business Award

  • Russell T Davies – Culture Award

  • Alun Wyn Jones – Sport Award

  • Gareth Thomas - Special Award

The awards were due to be held in March but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Welsh Government
Wasem Said has helped more than 300 children and young people who are members of the Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club. Credit: Welsh Government

Butetown-born Wasem Said is this year's winner of the Community Spirit Award. He heads up the Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club.

Membership has grown under his leadership to more than 300 children and young people, some of whom Wasem has helped steer away from drugs and knife crime, which Wasem himself fell into as a teenager before turning his life around.

Rachel Williams has won the Humanitarian Award for her work campaigning against domestic abuse.

Her 18 years as a victim of domestic violence came to an end in 2011, when her abuser shot her with a sawn-off shotgun before committing suicide. Tragically, six weeks later, her 16-year-old son took his own life as he struggled to cope.

Rachel is at the forefront of pushing the UK domestic abuse Bill through Parliament, and in September 2019, she hosted the first survivor-led domestic abuse conference in south Wales.

Rachel Williams is a passionate campaigner against domestic abuse. Credit: Welsh Government

Kickboxer Tyler Ford, 12, is receiving the Young Person Award this year. He is the youngest person to be inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame at the age of eight and is a triple gold medallist in the World Martial Art Games.

He has won more than 200 gold medals in international competitions.

Tyler Ford is the youngest person to ever be inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, he was just eight years old at the time. Credit: Welsh Government

In a message to all the St David Awards recipients, First Minister Mark Drakeford said he hoped the “everyday but extraordinary” winners will find comfort in their recognition.

He said: “What is most captivating is that all of our nominees think their actions are nothing to sing about. Well they are.

"They are everyday people doing extraordinary things that have helped to change lives for the better. I am honoured to recognise them in our national St David Awards."

The First Minister also said he had chosen Gareth Thomas for his Special Award because of the example Thomas has set as a role model for young people.

Other winners include Swansea-born Russell T Davies for his contribution to British television and Wales' most capped player, Alun Wyn Jones.

A special programme about the St David Awards will be broadcast on ITV Cymru Wales at 10:45pm on Thursday 16 July.

Watch our interview with St David Award winner Russell T Davies: