BIRMINGHAM Children’s Hospital Charity has triumphed in Big Give’s annual photography competition, winning the prestigious Big Photo Challenge prize. The charity’s striking photograph, credited to Kris Askey, captivated the judges with its blend of dignity, humour, and insight – standing out from a highly competitive field.
Big Give, the UK’s largest match funding platform, designed the Big Photo Challenge to celebrate the amazing difference charities are making across communities and the power of storytelling through the lens. This year’s theme, ‘Your Narrative in a Frame,’ invited charities to capture the essence of their impactful work and convey their mission through a single, powerful image.
From over 300 remarkable submissions, the judges had the challenging task of selecting the top three entries, each worthy of recognition for their empathy, compassion, and storytelling prowess. The winning charities and their prizes are as follows:
- 1st Place: Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity – £2,000
- 2nd Place: Mustard Seed Project Kenya – £1,000
- 3rd Place: Open Homes Nottingham – £500
The 2024 Judging Panel included:
- Nicola Reed: A dedicated philanthropist and trustee for Big Give, Nicola combines her Fine Art background with a passion for using photography to highlight charitable impact.
- Amelia Troubridge: A celebrated photographer with work featured in esteemed publications and commissioned by numerous charities, Amelia brings a discerning eye to the selection process.
- Joss Barratt: A seasoned stills photographer with a background in photojournalism, Joss is renowned for his insightful approach and skilful narrative capture.
- John Ingledew: With a deep-rooted passion for photography that began at St. Martins Art School, John’s extensive creative experience and esteemed background add invaluable expertise to the panel.
Photograph credit: Kris Askey.
Judges commented:
‘This photo shows dignity and humour in the face of adversity, it’s beautifully simple, well-composed and intriguing. This portrait suggests a normality in an unusual circumstance, a contradiction that shows great insight.’
Alex Day, Director of Big Give, expressed his admiration for the entries:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to review the submissions for this photo competition. We had a huge number of entries and I’ve been absolutely blown away by the quality. Not only are the photos incredibly moving, joyful, inspiring, they beautifully represent the amazing organisations we support and the impact we enable.”
Nicola Reed, Trustee of Big Give, added:
“The quality of the submissions was exceptional, making it difficult to narrow down to just a few winners. The creativity and narrative strength of each photograph were impressive. It was evident that a lot of thought and heart went into every entry, making the decision process both tough and fulfilling. Each photograph offered a unique window into the incredible work of the charities, showcasing not just their missions but the human stories behind them.”
The judges also wish to recognize the following charities for their outstanding photographs: Afghanaid, Music in Hospitals and Care, Stay Up Late, Reuben’s Retreat, Barefoot College, Littlelifts, and Accomplish Children’s Trust.
For more information, please visit: Big Give.
