Jen Hay nominated for charity fundraiser Community Pride award

Jen Hay, events manager for Holgate Windmill Preservation Society (HWPS), is the first contender in the Charity Fundraiser Of The Year category of our annual awards.

Since the society was established in 2001, Jen has spearheaded the crusade to raise £600,000 to return the Grade II-listed windmill to full working order.

She has organised open garden events, musical evenings, pancake races, barn dances, street parties and sponsored walks, as well as the Glimpse Of Spring photography competition, which is running at the moment.

Rosemary Anderton, who put Jen forward for the award, said: “There are very few individuals in any organisation that could be truly described as irreplaceable, but in our society, Jen is certainly one.

“Her fundraising ideas are exciting and creative, but also successful. Jen is very hands-on as well as being an efficient organiser and administrator.

“She helps keep the grass round the mill tidy with her strimmer, decorates the mill for Christmas and puts up posters locally to advertise events and open days.

“Once fired with an idea, her enthusiasm is infectious and her determination to make every event an efficiently run success is a great stimulus to the rest of the committee.

“Without Jen, HWPS would not only be less financially viable, but also be much less fun.”

The deadline for entries to our Community Pride Awards, which are being run in partnership with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society, is Friday, July 23.

A panel of judges will then draw up a shortlist, and finalists from each category will be invited to a ceremony at York Racecourse in October.

To make a nomination, fill in the entry form and return it with a supporting statement setting out why your nominee deserves an award.