People from all over the UK came together at the weekend for what has been described by guests as the most ‘inspiring and humbling’ event that they have ever been to.
Charities, VIPs, corporate sponsors and members of the public from all walks of life enjoyed an evening of networking, entertainment and thanksgiving courtesy of the national Charity Today Awards.
Youngsters from the Peterborough-based Hebden School of Dancing opened the celebrations with a lively performance. Host Rezzy Ghadjar then welcomed Charity Today & UK Charity Week founder Lee B. Rayment to the stage. Mr Rayment gave an impassioned opening speech of unity that set the tone for a unique community orientated evening.
The Mayor of Peterborough Cllr Gul Nawaz followed up Mr Rayment’s speech by extending his gratitude to Charity Today for allowing the city to host the national awards event. He told Charity Today that ‘it was an absolute privilege to be a part of such an occasion’.
Service-users of Disability Impact Award winners the Teamwork Trust won the hearts of the audience with tears and cries of joy on stage when receiving their award.
The Northamptonshire-based charity won the national title thanks to their work with disabled artist Jason Wilsher-Mills’ Corby Totems project.
Photograph Copyright: Carl Leverington/C3LO Photography/Charity Today
Liverpool-singer Cal Ruddy a great friend of Charity Today & UK Charity Week founder Lee Rayment took to the stage before and after the interval. Ruddy gave an insight into his journey with Aspergers before entertaining the theatre faithful.
Lee Rayment will be attending the singer’s album launch in Liverpool next month.
Host Rezzy Ghadjar kept the audience embraced and entertained all evening with a number of special guests invited onto the stage.
Reality TV star Sandi Bogle, Presenter & Model Valerie Wyndham along with her entrepreneur husband Alan, and entertainer Paul Manners all very kindly went out of their way to travel to Peterborough to present awards.
Lee Rayment was himself presenting The James E. Smith Special Recognition Award before being surprised on stage by charity leader Steven Schooling.
Mr Schooling gave an emotional and heart-warming thanks to Rayment for all that he does to help others despite enduring his own heartache along the way.
UK Charity Week Main Sponsors TheGivingMachine also got the VIP treatment along with the opportunity to present an award live on stage.
Intermezzo String Quartet and later an emotional solo dance from Madison Baldero ensured the audience went away mesmerised and humbled by the whole experience.
London-based Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice won the big award of the night, they scooped the Charity of the Year gong.
It was left to UK Charity Week ambassadors Classical Reflection to close the fantastic event, they did so with three stunning performances.
Speaking after the event Lee Rayment founder of both Charity Today & UK Charity Week said:
“I saw huge smiles, excitement, tears of joy, tears of sadness during the stories, but most of all I saw good people from all backgrounds coming together. This is priceless given the very divisive period we are living through, and we just hope that more people get to see this kind of joy and community next year.
“I want to congratulate all the winners tonight, and I believe it is important to extend a great deal of gratitude towards the other finalists who conducted themselves with grace and dignity the whole evening. A fantastic occasion.”
93 year old Sheffield volunteer and D-Day veteran Graham Bell MBE has won a special recognition award at this weekend’s Charity Today Awards. Graham volunteers every day for 5 local charities This is for his work for @SRSBCharity He beat 700 others Congratulations! @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/ZtnAVHBwAm
— Andy Kershaw (@andyksheffield) September 8, 2019
The moment we WON the #CharityTodayAwards Disability Impact Award – our members were thrilled to be up on stage and @JASONWILSHERMIL was with us in spirit #CorbyTotems @CharityAwards @MadeInCorby @lovecorbyuk pic.twitter.com/mU23VVaDMp
— Teamwork Trust (@TeamworkTrust) September 7, 2019
It is great to see all the other finalists pulling together on the evening and afterwards on social media with the winners. You have all conducted yourselves with immense integrity and it's a pleasure to have you all as part of our community. #CharityTodayAwards pic.twitter.com/fs31CM0p9P
— Charity Today Awards (@CharityAwards) September 9, 2019
Humbling evening at the #CharityTodayAwards
A huge well done to all the nominees, winners and performers tonight. Special mention to Lee and the team @Charity_Today
for a well organised event. 👏😀 pic.twitter.com/YybVQGY8gf— Nilesh Patel (@Wembley92) September 7, 2019
Thank You so much Lee and all the team at the wonderful @CharityAwards for honouring @donate4refugees with the 2019 Humanitarian Award. It was a pleasure, and lots of fun, meeting Lee and his brilliant family after the awards! I think we got a little silly 😂 #CharityTodayAwards pic.twitter.com/VQtNzR1QSp
— Donate4Refugees (@donate4refugees) September 8, 2019
The Charity Today Awards were supported by PayaCharity, Hegarty Solicitors, Vivacity (venue partners), Birketts Law and Keystone Accounts.
For more information on the Charity Today Awards, please visit: www.charitytodayawards.co.uk
Winners
Humanitarian Winner: Donate4Refugees
Highly Commended Finalists
Humanity First
International Children’s Care UK
EMS Yorkshire
Community Impact Award Winner: MCKS Charitable Foundation
Highly Commended Finalists
Peterborough Asylum Refugee Community Association
Glass Door, the homeless charity
Caritas Anchor House
Disability Impact Award Winner: Teamwork Trust & Corby Totems
Highly Commended Finalists
The Disabilities Trust
Disability Peterborough
POhWER
Fundraiser of the Year Winner: Lesley Knight, HELP Appeal
Highly Commended Finalists
Hilary Maxwell, GO Girls
Whale of a Time Row & Mintridge Foundation
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice Fundraising Team
Health & Social Care Award Winner: C3 Foundation Europe
Highly Commended Finalists
Baby Basics Northampton
Binti International
Crowborough CFR
The partnership of the Year Winner: Macmillan Cancer Support & npower
Highly Commended Finalists
Vintage Cash Cow & Age UK
Croydon Pride & Fat Beehive Ltd
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice & The Rotary Clubs
Volunteer of the Year Winner: Hilary Maxwell, GO Girls
Highly Commended Finalists
Amber Bauer – Donate4Refugees
Dawn Fidler – The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
The James E. Smith Special Recognition Award Winner: Graham Bell MBE
Highly Commended Finalists
Charles Ryan
Paintings In Hospitals Project
Anna Kennedy
Charity of the Year Winner: Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
Highly Commended Finalists
Brake, the road safety charity
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Clear Sky, Children’s Charity
