Nominations open for awards which celebrate charities

The awards celebrate local charities, volunteers and businesses who, over the last 12 months, have raised money, delivered services, and carried out community projects for the benefit of the Bailiwick.

‘With each passing year the importance of our charitable sector becomes more apparent, as it delivers more services and helps more people. The awards ensure that these contributions are not taken for granted,’ said Jim Roberts, chief executive of the foundation.

‘Being shortlisted for an award can significantly boost a charity’s profile, often leading to an increase in donations and volunteers.’

Anyone can nominate in any category and self-nominations are also encouraged.

There are seven awards – Charity of the Year, Outstanding Individual, Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility, Organising Committee and Fundraising Team – plus a Youth Award that can be won by an individual or a group of young people.

Last year’s Charity of the Year Award, sponsored by Ravenscroft, was won by the Guernsey Welfare Service.

The award judges were impressed by how many people GWS had helped and how the service had come into its own during lockdown.

‘Guernsey Welfare was delighted to win the 2020 Charity of the Year Award, which has been admired by visitors to our offices throughout the year,’ said co-ordinator Sue Le Friec.

‘The event and award helped to raise our profile and hence our support and the prize money enabled us to upgrade some outdated phones and computers.

‘Attending the event highlighted how much good goes on in Guernsey and it was a wonderful evening to be part of.’

Awards organiser Joni Nettleship said the awards ceremony is one of the very few times in the year when the charitable sector and its supporters come together to celebrate their achievements and encouraged nominators to come forward.

In addition to receiving an award at a special ceremony at St James on Tuesday 16 November, winners are given thousands of pounds to donate to a chosen charity or good cause.

Ravenscroft is the principal sponsor of the awards.

‘The voluntary and charity sectors have continued to face challenges over the last 12 months and so the 2021 Community Awards will recognise and celebrate all that they do for the Bailiwick. The calibre of nominations last year was exceptional and the judges will no doubt face another difficult task,’ said group managing director Mark Bousfield.

. Nominations close on Friday 10 September.