A short film made by a North Staffordshire charity, featuring children from Stoke-on-Trent, has been nominated for a national award.

My Potential, My Way, by Newcastle-Under-Lyme-based Caudwell Children has been nominated for the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards, the world's largest cause-based film campaign.

The charity, which is based on the Keele University campus, is now calling on the local community to vote for the film before voting closes on Friday 30 January. 

The one-minute-and-30-second film was created, animated and filmed by the charity's in-house marketing team to shine a light on the dreams and aspirations of disabled and neurodivergent children.

Caudwell Children explained that they were "inspired by the stark fact that almost seven in eight families feel their disabled or neurodivergent child isn't able to achieve their full potential in today's society".

One of the children who features in the film is 11-year-old Leeland Baldwin, from Stoke-on-Trent.

Leeland is a wheelchair user with a passion for football who enjoys cheering on his favourite team and competing for St Georges Knights Powerchair Football Club.

Leeland's mum Christabel Lovatt, said: "Leeland wants to be independent, have a lovely life and be a strong football leader.

"Even if a person has a disability, you can still look to the future and be inspired by people and make a difference in life. Everyone should be accepted for who they are and what they want to do, making the world a better place." 

Also starring in the film, is eight-year-old Harper Dunning, from Stoke-on-Trent.

Harper dreams of becoming a film director so that she can bring magical workds filled with wizards, sea creatures and aliens to life.

Harper's dad Bradley Dunning, said: "I'd like to see a change in the world around the stigma surrounding disability and neurodivergences.

"Get rid of the misinformation that's spread and make the world more accommodating and accepting of people for who they are, so that they can go on to achieve their full potential - whatever that may be."

Caudwell Children provides practical and emotional support for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, and their families including autism assessments, specialist equipment and funding, family support sessions, and occupational therapy. 

Michael Harper, Director of Marketing, Communications and Impact at Caudwell Children, said: "We're extremely proud of our film, which was created in conjunction with our recent rebrand and associated brand campaign, 'My Potential, My Way'.  

"Our huge thanks go to the incredible young people in the film, who, with the support of their families, shared their stories so beautifully, to help raise awareness of the difference the right support can make to disabled and neurodivergent children.  

"The Smiley Charity Film Awards gives us a vital platform to highlight the unique potential of the children we see every day, their individual needs, and the personalised support we offer."  

Vote for the film here: My Potential, My Way | Smiley Charity Film Awards.