A WREXHAM grandmother has been recognised by The Royal Family for her dedication to supporting young people with cancer.

Enid Waterfall, 85, shared a virtual stage with royalty as Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie celebrated her work with young people with cancer at the inaugural Teenage Cancer Trust Awards ceremony.

The inaugural Teenage Cancer Trust 2020 Awards exemplify inspirational people and the Princesses honoured seven winners, including 85-year-old Enid, as they learned of her dedication to the charity despite the challenges of a global pandemic.

The Leader:

Enid's grandson Richard's graduation day from university

The Princesses, who are Honorary Patrons of the charity, presented the awards via Zoom last week (Tuesday, June 30) to help shine a spotlight on the incredible people who exemplify the purpose, values and passion of Teenage Cancer Trust.

Enid's grandson was supported by Teenage Cancer Trust for over five years after being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma aged 21, before he sadly passed away in January 2018.

Determined Enid has fundraised for Teenage Cancer Trust ever since with a huge range of activities ranging from bucket collections at garden centres and Aldi and Wilko stores, to car boot sales, supermarket bag packs, carol singing and bonfire night celebrations - raising over £28,000 for the charity.

In January, Enid wrote to the charity to say that she would not be able to send as much money in future due to the physical exertions of fundraising, but that she would carry on doing bucket collections in “garden shops, Aldi, Wilko’s or anywhere you need someone to hold a bucket!” 

Princess Eugenie told Enid she was sorry to hear about her grandson Richard and said, “what an amazing thing to do in honour of his memory. It must be so difficult to go through that.”

Enid said: “You feel closer to Richard when you are doing it. It’s not me, it’s the people who give, the people who work with me and who keep giving money time after time. This really is for all those people, my family and for Richard who did so much fundraising before he died. I’m delighted to win this award.”

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie said: “It has been a real honour for Beatrice and I to present these awards to such dedicated, kind and inspiring individuals. Hearing what it has been like working on the frontline, the personal stories that drive fundraising and how inspirational young people have campaigned in the face of adversity – and all during a global pandemic - will stay with us forever.

“Beatrice and I have grown up with Teenage Cancer Trust. We have been inspired by our mother, who is an Honorary Patron of this incredible charity, and support it in what is its – and my - 30th year. We’ve shared many experiences along the way and people like these worthy award winners truly inspire us.”

After the event, and commenting on her award win, Enid said: “I couldn’t believe it when the Princesses announced we were all winners. I will treasure my award-and I share it with everyone who has helped me over the years, because it belongs to them as well.

“I feel so honoured to be in the group of such outstanding nominees who have done so much, raising huge amounts of money, being so brave, and showing such care and dedication to support young people with cancer.“