A touching photograph of a three-year-old cancer patient receiving treatment at Birmingham Children's Hospital has been selected as one of 200 finalists for a prestigious national photography competition. The image, captured by Kris Askey who works with the hospital's fundraising team, shows young Jessie on the oncology ward where she underwent treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The photograph has been shortlisted for the British Journal of Photography's Portrait of Britain Awards, one of the most respected photography competitions in the country. From the current shortlist of 200 images, judges will select 100 winning photographs that will be announced in January. These chosen images will be featured in the eighth volume of the publication's acclaimed Portrait of Britain book series.

Askey, who lives in Redditch, Worcestershire, expressed his honor at having his work recognized on such a significant platform. "It's a massive honor to have a photo like this recognized, and bring some awareness to children like Jessie and the Children's Hospital itself," he said. The photographer specializes in documenting the stories of both staff and patients at the medical facility, focusing on capturing the human experiences within the hospital walls.

Beyond publication in the book series, the winning photographs will receive additional exposure through a nationwide display campaign. The selected images will be shown on digital JCDecaux UK advertising screens across the country, bringing these powerful portraits to audiences throughout Britain. This widespread visibility will help raise awareness about the hospital and the young patients it serves.

For Askey, the recognition serves a deeper purpose than personal achievement. "Hopefully [my photo] can help highlight that [Jessie] is one of so many young children that have to endure a childhood that they and their family don't deserve and didn't ever plan for," he explained. His photography aims to showcase the compassion and dedication he witnesses daily at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The photographer's mission extends beyond documenting medical treatment to capturing the humanity within healthcare. "There is so much kindness, hard work and empathy that goes on inside the walls of the hospital and that is what I have always wanted to show within my photography there," Askey stated. Through his lens, he hopes to bring attention to both the challenges faced by young patients and the exceptional care they receive from the hospital's medical team.