Chloe, 12, who saved Dad’s life awarded Amy Johnson Cup for Courage

HONOUR: Chloe being presented with the award by the Lord Mayor

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A girl who saved her father’s life after he collapsed while cooking has won the Amy Johnson Cup for Courage – the first time it has been awarded in 13 years.

The cup, which was launched by Hull’s pioneering aviation heroine Amy Johnson in the 1930s, was last awarded in 2012.

Its winner for 2025 is Chloe Taylor from Kingswood, who was just 12 when she helped save the life of her Dad, James.

He collapsed while cooking tea and suffered two seizures. Chloe called 999 and ran to get help from a neighbour while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. The paramedic who attended said her quick thinking and actions undoubtedly saved her father’s life.

Chloe received the honour from the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Cheryl Payne, in a ceremony at the Guildhall on May 5 – 96 years to the day since Amy set off on her historic flight from London to Australia.

It was the first time a female pilot had flown solo between the two countries, making headlines around the world.

The cup, created by Amy herself, was paid for with gold sovereigns presented to her by schoolchildren in Sydney in 1930.

PIONEER: Amy Johnson

The cup can be won by any Hull-born children who have displayed courage of the highest order in a single act of bravery.

The Lord Mayor said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to award the cup for the first time in over a decade.

“We have said in previous years that not having any candidates for the prize wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it suggested no children from our city had found themselves involved in a serious incident where they’d had to show bravery.

“However, we were keen to recognise the courage shown by anyone who did experience such a situation, and Chloe is a very worthy winner.

“The cup allows us to continue showcasing Amy’s pioneering work, which people in our city are rightfully very proud of.”

Entries for the 2026 prize are being encouraged and can be submitted on email to civic.office@hullcc.gov.uk.

Nominees must be born in Hull and aged 17 or under. The act of bravery doesn’t have to have occurred in the city, but the child must reside in Hull at the time it happened. The cup cannot be won through recklessness.