We’ve had a bumper postbag in the past few days as nominations pour in for the awards.
Here are some of those up for the Charity Fundraiser Of The Year title:
• THE organiser of a male-only charity fun run is among the nominees for the title of Charity Fundraiser Of The Year.
Brian Hughes, who set up the Taking The P race which raised £13,000 for prostate cancer research, was nominated by Angie Goodwin, who praised his “can do” attitude.
She said: “He has raised a lot of money in the past for Action Aid, by running in a Paddington Bear costume and Wellingtons, which isn’t easy.
“I really admire Brian for his quiet, humble encouragement of all, to take part and enjoy the fun atmosphere he creates at these events. It can’t be easy, to organise, promote, and enlist sponsorship while running your own business, but Brian has made this a unique event.”
• Sophie Agar, of Thorsby Avenue, is also up for the Charity Fundraiser title. She has raised more than £10,000 for various charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, NSPCC, and the William Rhodes Appeal, by planning and taking part in fundraising activities.
Sophie’s mother, Carol, said: “Every mother is proud of their daughter, it goes without saying, but for me, I have more reasons than most.
“Never is there a month goes by where some form of planning, organising or running of an event is taking place. I believe Sophie would not be able to rest without knowing she was in the midst of raising yet more money for a worthy cause.”
• Joyce Chaney, of Huntington, was nominated by her husband, George, for her fundraising efforts with Cancer Research. Joyce, aged 80, made 2,000 gift tags from used Christmas and birthday cards, for the charity shop in Huntington. She spent hours making the tags, and said she did not mind because it was for a good cause.
• Dawn Moore, of Hanover Street West, was nominated for her fundraising work for a variety of charities by Paul May, who said: “It doesn’t matter who wants help, Dawn will be there to raise the money. She is the most caring person I have ever come across.
“She will do anything to help anyone. Recently, she has organised two tombola stalls, and she walked the midnight walk for St Leonard’s Hospice, then ran the Race For Life the day after.”
• Community group SNAPPY has been nominated for both Charity Fundraiser of the Year, and Best Community Project, by project manager Anne Stamp, who was nominated for Person Of The Year in 2009.
Anne said: “The organisation has been running for 26 years. In all of that time it has seen many crises and pitfalls, but still remains one of the most popular settings for children and young people with special needs. The volunteers work so very hard to make sure all of the visitors have a special experience.”
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