The Hannah Dennis Alopecia Awareness Award is in its fifth year, and we received some brilliant nominations. As ever, we were blown away by the incredible young people who have been busy over the last 12 months raising awareness of alopecia.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the young people who were nominated this year, and introduce the 2024 Hannah Dennis Alopecia Awareness Award winner, 10-year-old Tommy Weeden!

Congratulations Tommy on being named the winner of the 2024 Hannah Dennis Alopecia Awareness Award! How did you feel when you were told that you had won this year's award?

I felt really happy and very proud to be this year's winner. 

Tell us about the things you have done to raise awareness of alopecia…

I have done all sorts of different things. I did an assembly in my school, explaining all about alopecia in front of the whole school, and did a wear blue to school fundraiser. Last September, for Alopecia Awareness Month, I did 101 star jumps every day and these were video'd and posted to Facebook every day. I chose to do my star jumps in different locations, including in local parks, in school, in Southend on Sea's Adventure Island fun fair, and at my jujitsu class with all my Sensis joining in. I got quite a lot of attention!

My local newspaper did an article about my fundraiser and what it's like to have alopecia. I have also appeared on BBC CBeebies' Teeny Tiny Creatures a couple of years ago hatless and happy!

What do you think is the best thing about having alopecia, and what’s the most annoying thing?

The best thing is being unique, not having the annoyance of having hair, and occasionally getting free stuff! The most annoying thing is being bullied for not having hair. 

If you could tell everyone just one thing about what it’s like to have alopecia, what would that one thing be?

It's ok, It's not hard not having hair. I'm happy being me!

Over to Tommy's Dad Andrew..

Why do you think it’s so important to raise awareness of alopecia?

I think it is important to raise awareness about alopecia because so many people don't know anything about it. About half the people I talk to about it are unaware of the disease .

How has being involved in awareness activities impacted on Tommy’s experience with alopecia?

Being involved with the fundraising and helping to raise awareness has helped Tommy's self-confidence. Standing up in front of the school talking about his condition and being on TV and in the papers made him famous at school for a while . 

How did you feel when you were told that Tommy had won this year’s award?

I felt very proud that he won the award this year. Thanks so much to the judges. I'm sure the award will be a further confidence boost. 

Congratulations to Tommy on being our 2024 Hannah Dennis Alopecia Awareness Award winner. And well done to award finalists Emily, Phoebe, Skye and Hariot. Alopecia UK continues to be impressed, inspired, and grateful for the efforts of young people in raising awareness of alopecia. 

Hannah Dennis is a much-loved volunteer and supporter of Alopecia UK who sadly passed away in 2018. Hannah did so much in her life to raise awareness of alopecia after she was diagnosed with alopecia areata at the age of 14, losing all her hair at the age of 16. Alopecia UK is proud to have this award in her name and continue her legacy.