We always love to say thank you and highlight the dedication of all of our wonderful volunteers and ambassadors – from teddy bear knitters and rucksack packers to kind-hearted sponsors and intrepid adventurers.
Each year in September we recognise some of the people who are so generous with their time and efforts on our behalf. This is usually by way of a dynamic in-person awards ceremony.
Despite Covid-19 stopping that this year, we have managed to make this happen in a different way.
Special thanks go to Andy Bretherton from Skye Wellbeing who has helped make this possible.
All six of our winners have received a trophy as well as a family annual membership to the Skye app and a £100 dinner voucher for two, kindly donated by Andy.
Our first award, Volunteer of the Year went to the powerhouse Rachel Boardman. Rachel is an amazing support to us in so many ways, organising and attending events, supporting fundraising and generally being an all-round unflappable driving force in our journey.
Runner-up Barrie Davies, of Baron Training, has made some hugely valuable connections for us with repeated introductions. He has also supported us further through raising awareness, treating loved-ones to our ‘buy one, gift one’ teddy bears and monthly donations.
Our Ambassador of the Year for the second time running, is our brilliant and tireless John Wilson whose unwavering support has not gone unnoticed – he has raised more than £13,000 this year – thank you and go John!
Big congratulations to runner-up Sylvia Keris. Sylvia created an urgent appeal for teddy bears to be knitted and got the most amazing support. It was so touching to see the bears flood in.
Charlotte Shutt at Brand Remarkable has won our Going the Extra Mile award. What a wonderful communicator and advocate Charlotte has been. We are blown away by all that she does, day in day out with much-appreciated sparkling social media prowess. (See picture above, left to right, of Charlotte, Karen Williams and Andy.)
Runners up are Pam Beale of Mission Accomplished and our 2018 Ambassador of the year Angela Gakis of Utility Warehouse. We are so thankful for these two ladies’ never-ending support.
Fundraisers of the Year are Gowling WLG. Their support has made a significant difference in how many children we are reaching in these challenging times. Our runner up is the very generous St. James Place. We are hugely appreciative and inspired by the fabulous CSR in action at both of these trusted companies.
This brings us to Corporate Partner of the Year and our fabulous winner Ian Hazel Funerals Ltd whose help has been invaluable — not least in allowing us to use premises where we have continued to pack bags throughout lockdown. Our runners up for two years in a row are Sydney Mitchell LLP Solicitors whose continued support is crucial.
Lastly, journalist and PR woman Linda Aitchison of Nurture Media nabbed the Making a Difference award. Thanks to Linda for networking on our behalf to raise almost £10,000, organising quizzes and raising awareness with national publicity.
The BNI Premier group (Birmingham) based in Sutton Coldfield is the runner up thanks to those members who have so selflessly supported us in so many ways – with regular donations, on-going camaraderie and planning for the future.
Skye Wellbeing is an online service that helps care for employees — supporting their financial, physical and mental wellbeing. This can include discounts at restaurants, nutrition advice, confidential emotional support and access to an online doctor.
