Eddie Kadi: I'm so excited to be asked back to the vInspired National Awards

Comedian Eddie Kadi will be hosting the vInspired National Awards alongside Emma Willis at the BFI IMAX this Thursday 22 March!

Here, Eddie tells us why he’s so excited to back at the awards for a second year running...

I was so excited when I was asked back to present this year’s vInspired National Awards. Last year’s event was one of the highlights of my year. It was a brilliant party, but without a doubt, what made the night for me was the opportunity to meet all the amazing nominees.

There were young people who had achieved more before the age of 25 than most of us ever will. And what’s even more amazing is the fact that everything they had achieved was totally selfless – it was all done to help other people and to make a positive difference, rather than to gain money or glory for themselves.

I remember one young man, Sulaiman, who refused to let his disability hold him back. He had run major national campaigns to make public places more accessible to people with disabilities and you just knew he was never going to stop until he had achieved his mission.

I’ve heard that another of the young people, Kirsty, who has raised tens of thousands for charity, has been awarded an MBE since last year’s awards. It’s great to know that young people like her are being celebrated at the highest levels.

It was also really eye-opening to see how many different ways young people were making a difference. I was inspired to see how they were using their own creativity and passions to change the world.

One group, Youth 4 Youth, had set up a weekly music project and even organised their own music festival for their community. And another of the winners, Kim, was so passionate about the environment she set up a project that has saved 50 tonnes of re-usable rubbish from landfill.

Like last year, I know this year’s awards are going to be a great party with some brilliant performers, but I really can’t wait to meet the real stars of the show - the nominees. It will be a real honour to be able to get on that stage on Thursday night and shout about the amazing things they have done.