SAMANTHA Renke, the broadcaster, speaker, author and disability advocate, has been named as host of the national disability charity Sense’s annual awards ceremony.
The Sense Awards are this year marking their 20th anniversary. The ceremony, taking place on 23 November 2023, will celebrate the outstanding achievements of people with complex disabilities and those who support them.
Samantha, who was born with Brittle Bone Condition, is a prominent advocate on disability issues. She writes for publications including the Metro on topics like body image, ableism and the financial and social impact on disabled people. In her book, You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, she shares the highs and lows of living with a disability and she is also co-host of The Motability Lifestyle Pod.
With her broadcasting credits including Lorraine, Loose Women, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Jeremy Vine on 5 and Sunday Morning Live, Samantha’s work has been widely recognised. She was nominated as Celebrity of the Year at the National Diversity Awards and has been repeatedly named on The Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 List.
There are 13 categories in the 2023 Sense Awards, including ‘Person of the Year’, ‘Campaigner of the Year’, ‘Young Sibling of the Year’ and ‘Celebrity of the Year’. Previous winners include comedian Rosie Jones and BBC News correspondent Nikki Fox.
A team of disabled celebrities, influencers and disability activists will decide the shortlist and winners. The judges include singer-songwriter Alice Ella, chef and TV presenter Briony May Williams, Paralympian Siobhan Fitzpatrick and disabled influencer Lauren Gilbert.
Samantha Renke said:
“I’m delighted to be hosting the 20th annual Sense Awards ceremony. In recent years, as I’ve become more involved as a disability rights campaigner, I’ve come to fully understand and feel so much pride in my disability identity. The Sense Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of disabled people and continue to raise our voices.”
Richard Kramer, CEO of Sense, said:
“We are honoured to have Samantha Renke hosting our 20thanniversary Sense Awards. Celebrating the achievements of children and adults with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, and those who support them at our annual awards ceremony is always a highlight of our year – and having Samantha hosting this year will make it extra special.”
