Courageous children sought for Amy Johnson award

Hull City Council is inviting nominations for the 2025 Amy Johnson Cup for Courage.

The award originated shortly after Amy Johnson made her record-breaking solo flight to Australia in 1930, in her Gipsy Moth biplane called Jason.

It is awarded to Hull-born children who have shown "exceptional bravery".

The Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Mark Collinson, said: "It is a fitting honour for young people who have been truly brave in an urgent situation."

He added: "The cup is awarded to Hull children who have courageously assisted others or saved others from injury.

"The deeds of previous recipients, and of Amy herself, can serve as inspiration to us all."

The cup is only awarded for outstanding bravery, which means it is not given out every year.

The most recent winner was in 2012, when a 10-year-old girl was honoured for saving her grandmother's life after their home was targeted by arsonists.

Children are eligible to be nominated if they were born in Hull and aged 17 or under, with their act of bravery taking place at some point in 2024 while they were living in the city.

Entries can be emailed to [email protected] and the deadline for nominations is 31 January.

A prize is awarded to the winner, who also has their photo taken with the cup, as well as their actions being recorded in a special roll of honour book at the Guildhall.

After returning home in 1930, Miss Johnson was appointed CBE and given a civic reception at the Guildhall in Hull.

While attending a rally for young people, she proposed that a special trophy be awarded to recognise any act of outstanding bravery by a Hull child, paid for with the money presented to her by the children of Sydney, New South Wales, as a gesture of appreciation.

According to city council documents, it was Miss Johnson's wish not to encourage any foolhardy acts by young people, but to foster and encourage acts that help people and save others from injury.

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