The team at RAW Pictures, leading video production agency in Oxford, is delighted to announce that its creative director Will Dawson has been awarded the ‘Oxfordshire Individual Hero’ award. This recognition comes from The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Hero Awards for his powerful and emotive short film which captured the behind-the-scenes events of workers on the frontline.

The Thames Valley business community came together to help support and celebrate the individuals from across the region who had worked, helped and supported their own communities during the coronavirus pandemic in its first Hero Awards virtual ceremony.

The ceremony was hosted by the first UK voice of Siri, Jon Briggs, who was joined by parody singer Blobbie Williams as he entertained nominees and entrants with hits such as ‘Let me Entertain you’ and ‘Angels’.

The short film, which was described as an ‘amazing and selfless project that caused a great impact’ captured the nation’s attention earlier on this year and raised £1,020 for Winston’s Wish; a charity that supports the families of emergency service workers who have lost loved ones on the frontline.

Will Dawson, creative director at RAW Pictures said: “I was really keen to raise awareness of what our NHS and service workers were doing to keep our lives safe during lockdown at the very start in March. I wanted to create a very real and deep response through the video to help make people stop and think more about their actions”.
He added that: “I want to congratulate all of the winners who took part in the first Thames Valley Hero Awards and for their incredible contribution and hard work in helping create a better place for their community in times of need. These awards champion the unsung heroes and amplify the amazing work that is helping bring our communities closer together. I’m proud and moved to receive this recognition, which is testament to the hard work our video production agency put in to making shorts that have a human element and really tell a story.”

Winners from the Thames Valley Hero Awards will automatically be entered into the UK Business Heroes – Celebrating Businesses One Story at a Time; an initiative being run by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) throughout October, for further recognition on a national scale.

Will Dawson’s tribute video to the NHS can be found here: https://www.rawpictures.co.uk/portfolio