Mencap photography winners announced

Free my mind Eleanor Bennett In the winter, it was hard to get out because of my chest infections and the cold snow. Sometimes even my mind felt trapped from all the time spent watching telly. Fujifilm special award winner Photograph: Mencap/PR Aerosmith rocks! Emma Anderson The photo was taken during the Hyde Park Calling concert featuring my favourite group of all the decades, Aerosmith. I danced for two hours in the pouring rain and will never forget this fantastic experience! Photograph: Mencap/PR Joshua and Gilbert's first fun run Matthew Earl We're having a well-earned rest after raising funds for Hawthorn Family Support Centre, Leeds Mencap. It was our first sponsored walk, aged 11 months. Fujifilm special award winner Photograph: Mencap/PR Do you like butter, Mummy? Holly May Hunt This is a picture of Holly whilst out walking the dog on a sunny spring day. Holly has a complex heart condition and global dyspraxia, which means that both the temperature and location have to be suitable for her to enjoy walking outdoors. This day was beautiful and sunny. We shared the story about holding a buttercup under your chin to determine whether or not you like butter. I don’t think there was a buttercup left unpicked during our walk, but I returned with a pocketful and a love of butter … apparently! Photograph: Mencap/PR Multi me Marianne Coulter Marianne has poor eyesight and over the years she has learnt to manipulate mirrors to her advantage. She can use them to see round corners and behind her, to see her boyfriend and to use the sun's reflection to get her friends' attention. Fujifilm special award winner Photograph: Mencap/PR Twirling Neil Bamsey ‘Twirling’ is an activity that I have enjoyed since I was very young. I love to see the patterns. Here I am twirling the remnants of a recycling bag, which I've meticulously torn into strips to get the exact length I want. This is my rhythmic gymnastics. Photograph: Mencap/PR Over the rainbow Richard Rukwira I like to exercise wherever I go. The park is good – there's lots to do. It's fun! Photograph: Mencap/PR Birthday paddle with Dad Sian Cartwright We took Euan to Scarborough for his 15th birthday in April, because he loves the sea. The water was freezing, but Euan would have happily gone for full submersion if he had been allowed. Photograph: Mencap/PR A mother's love Stephen Campbell This is our six-year-old daughter Elizabeth with her mum, Fiona. This picture was taken at the children's hospice where we go for respite care. It’s the one place where everyday worries are forgotten about, if only for a few days. I feel this photo really illustrates the happiness we feel when staying here. Photograph: Mencap/PR Action hero time Tracy Shave My son (Iron Man in red) has autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD, and doesn't have many friends at school. This is a picture of the first time he had a friend over. His trampoline has kept him both happy and active – and allowed him to have a really fun time with his friend dressed as a Transformer. Photograph: Mencap/PR Shine a light Hodgson Brooke I love dancing. I am in the Loyne specialist school dance club. My friends and I practise every Wednesday night. We enter competitions and have performed at the Lancashire schools dance festival for the last four years. My favourite dance is Shine a light. Fujifilm special award winner Photograph: Mencap/PR