Hugh Cudlipp Lecture: 'Life-saving' project scoops top student award

Aspiring student journalists have been honoured this evening at this year’s Hugh Cudlipp Lecture.

Dozens of entries were received and the quality of work was praised by the Mirror’s editor Caroline Waterston. Two commended entries which focused on disabledjob hunters and immigrationwere handed out. Sapphire Hope, who wrote about the difficulties people with disabilities have with finding job’s, focused her work on her sister’s experience.

The second winners, Paul Wilkinson and Fabienne Dias, focused on immigration through a contributor who arrived on a small boat. Sophie O’Sullivan was highly commended for her documentary on Billingsgate Fish Market. Sharon Browne-Peter scooped the top award and was praised for bringing ‘great storytelling to a such an important issue’ of living with sickle cell.

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Read Caroline Waterston’s speech in full

Tonight, we have two commended entries: At a time when there is a lot of political focus on disabled people being told to get back to work – our first commended entrant investigated the barriers and hurdles for disabled job hunters, including one disabled man being asked to leave the building.

The writer took an issue faced by their own sister, turned it into an investigation and ended up getting it published paywall free by the Financial Times. Congratulations to Sapphire Hope.

Our second commended entrants took on one of the most difficult subjects of the day – immigration – with courage and intelligence. Their investigation included not just voices from the political sphere but the voices of people seeking sanctuary in the UK through a contributor who arrived in a small boat. The result was a carefully balanced and compelling piece of work. Congratulations to Paul Wilkinson & Fabienne Dias who are commended.

The Mirror has been a neighbour of Billingsgate Fish Market at Canary Wharf since we moved there in 1994. But the market dates back to 1327 – and now faces closure. This highly commended entrant produced, filmed and edited a documentary – ‘The Last Catch’ – that beautifully captures not just market life but a way of life under threat, highlighting not just its traditions – but its humour. Congratulations to Sophie O’Sullivan, who is highly commended.

And now for the winner…

The winning entry’s campaign for more Black blood donors to treat sickle cell anaemia blew us away with their passion for their subject and their ability to tell a story. There were several elements across video, social and online journalism, but the documentary – which the entrant created, researched, directed and produced – was especially professional, engaging and moving.

The winner brought her own experience of living with sickle cell to the campaign – and wrote about it for CNN’s website in a way that was powerful and well-written. This is life-changing, life-saving work combined with great storytelling. Sharon Browne-Peter is our winner. Congratulations.

Congratulations to all our winners.