'Brave' Hull children sought for Amy Johnson award

The award originated shortly after Amy Johnson made her record-breaking solo flight to Australia in 1930

Hull City Council is inviting nominations for a prize named after aviation pioneer Amy Johnson.

The Cup for Courage originated after Hull-born Miss Johnson became the first woman pilot to fly solo between Britain and Australia in 1930.

Nominees for the 2026 award must be 17 or under, have been born in Hull and committed a "signal act of bravery" in the city in the previous year.

The Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Cheryl Payne, said: "People in our area are rightfully very proud of Amy's pioneering work, and it is great that part of her legacy is about showcasing something she undoubtedly was: brave."

Funds for the award came from gold sovereigns presented to Miss Johnson by school children in Sydney after her historic flight.

The Cup for Courage was created by Miss Johnson.

It was last awarded in 2012, when a 10-year-old girl was honoured for saving her grandmother's life after their home was targeted by arsonists.

Councillor Payne who is chair of the board of trustees which assesses nominations for the award said: "We haven't managed to award the Cup for Courage since 2012, which is not necessarily a bad thing as it might suggest that no children have found themselves in such situations where they've to come to the rescue of someone in a critical incident.

"However, if there is a young person who has shown such bravery in the last year I would be delighted if we could honour them," she added.

The winner will receive a prize, and have their photograph taken with the original Cup, which is kept at The Guildhall.

Their actions are also recorded in a special roll of honour book at The Guildhall.

The single act of bravery must have occurred between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

The deadline for nominations is 30 January 2026.

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