.jpeg)
On Thursday me and Harry had the pleasure of attending the Benefact Group #movementforgood Charity Heroes Awards 2024. After being nominated and shortlisted to the final 3 for the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ 2024 Award. I had tried not think about it beforehand, as with university, baby loss month, costs, everything was keeping us all busy as volunteers. As the day grew closer I considered writing a speech for the first time, but I remembered what an old friend (RIP Paul Scully-Sloan - Founder of Daddy's with Angels) told me "To always speak from the heart". It had done me well before, so I stayed with our motto. #straightfromtheheart.
About the Award and sponsors
17 JUN 2024
Benefact Group has launched the Charity Heroes Awards 2024, a new awards programme designed to celebrate and support charities working tirelessly to make positive change.
The Awards are open to charities based in the UK and Ireland and entries are open between Monday 17 June and Friday 26 July. Winning charities will be awarded £5,000 and runners up will receive £1,000.
Volunteer of the year – Volunteers who have gone over and above, making positive impact for charities, dedicating their time and energy to a great cause
Climate action project – Charities which have inspired and motivated action to tackle the climate crisis
Local community initiative – A project which has reached the heart of a local community to tackle a local issue
Digital fundraising initiative – Inspiring digital fundraising which has created new sources of income and motivated supporters
Small charity, big impact – A small charity (with a turnover of less than £1m) that has made a big impact
Charity leader of the year – A charity CEO or other senior leader who is a role model for others by championing a cause and inspiring change
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 28 November. An additional colleagues’ choice award will also be announced during the ceremony.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, says: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Benefact Group’s Charity Heroes Awards 2024. This new Awards programme celebrates and supports charities working tirelessly to make positive change. Benefact Group is a family of award-winning specialist financial services companies and the third largest corporate donor to charity in the UK. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. All of our available profits go to good causes and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give.”
Benefact Group has donated over £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK1. The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025.
For more information and to enter your charity for an award visit https://benefactgroup.com/awards
Charity Heroes Awards is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
On the day!
My electric scooter broke down in the middle of a busy train station, I had only 1 crutch to walk with. We had a whirlwind of a taxi ride, but the event was worth every tear I had shed before entering the suite in the Tower of London that morning and every extra heartbeat Instantly anxiety disappeared as we where introduced to guests at our table and everyone made us feel so welcome. Me and Harry both said afterwards how we how everyone had made us feel at ease. and when you began hearing nominee's Why and roles they played in society, there was not a dry eye in the room. We heard the nominations and what the judges had to say about each person and organisation shortlisted. Totally, amazed, by the work so many do and often go unheard about. Which is why community supporting community is so important to The Benefact Group. Then it was time for the golden envelope and my legs turned to jelly. I looked at Ian and all I was thinking was I could not get up. I heard my name being read out as the ‘Winner’ of “The Charity Heroes Awards “Volunteer of the Year” 2024 which was sponsored by ecclesiastical (Insurance Company) I was totally blown away with amazement, shock, and a little overwhelmed as I struggled to speak, let alone walk.
My amazing husband, Harry, had his arms undermine helping me up, and then placing the crutch in my hand. Together we walked on the stage, hand in hand, all I could hear where claps and rounds of applause. I could feel the pain right up my leg, but I was determined to walk across the stage. I was presented with the award and an additional envelope with Inspirational Couple and access to book a 1- or 2-night stay in a 4- or 5-star hotel for me and Harry. Such a wonderful treat for both of us. We were made to feel special by everyone, and we were informed after lunch that we had helped the camera man, and he had used our services for baby loss. My heart skipped a beat, and I did feel myself crying a little which took me by surprise. We were and still today in shock after winning and there have been many tears since sharing with our team this amazing award and prize.
Funds raised and donated will help continue our community projects into 2025, as well as help support materials, postage & packaging costs, overheads for Handmade with Love & Making Memories. On a personal level me and Harry feel proud, humble, and at times a little overwhelmed, but nothing was too much for trouble for our hosts and we are so grateful to share this with our team of volunteers, and young ambassadors. A huge thank you to everyone who nominated us, from 4,000 nominations we have been totally blown away by the love and care we have received by everyone involved, and would like to say to every nominee we are all winners because we do this from the heart, well done everyone and a huge thank you to Natasha - Events Manager from the Benefact Group for getting me through the day, and all of our team, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, and here is to making magical memories with the parents and families we support in 2025.
All our love and gratitude
Luanne & Harry Rimmer
Baby Loss Parents
Advocates for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
Comments