Twenty-one Sussex businesses have been declared finalists in the Chestnut Tree House 10th Birthday Business Awards 2013 for their creative support of the only children’s hospice in Sussex.
“Companies from across the county have raised thousands of pounds for Chestnut Tree House in a wonderful world of ways, with staff showing huge resourcefulness and commitment to help us make life better for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families,” said Hugh Lowson, Chief Executive of the charity.
“As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we want to say a huge thank you to them and we hope that many more businesses in the county will join them to help us. It costs £6,850 per day to provide all our care services, at the hospice and out in the community across Sussex, whilst just 8% of our funding comes from central government, so we are reliant on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to cover our costs.”
Over 100 applications from businesses were reviewed this week by the awards judges, including explorer, entrepreneur and CEO of the Business Leadership Academy, Neil Laughton, angel investor and entrepreneur, Arjo Ghosh, MD of Natural PR, Paula Seager, and CEO of Chestnut Tree House, Hugh Lowson.
The finalists are:
Outstanding Original Fundraiser:
The winner will be an inspiring and exceptional individual who showed true initiative and a drive to make things happen; a proactive champion of Chestnut Tree House.
Fundraising Team of the Year:
The winning team will demonstrate how, through working together, they took ownership of their fundraising to the benefit of their company and the hospice.
Most Innovative Fundraising Idea:
In this category, judges were looking for a new, unusual or simply downright barmy idea with a successful outcome.
Outstanding Voluntary Project:
Unusual and creative projects that made the best use of volunteers’ personal skills, interests and passions will all be considered.
Outstanding Long-term Supporter:
It all began ten years ago and some businesses have helped with fundraising, sponsorship or staff time for many of those years and the charity feels it is time to say thank you!
Outstanding SME Supporter:
For this category, the judges looked for a recent project, within the last 12 months, where the staff of a small / medium sized company and their clients worked together to help Chestnut Tree House.
Outstanding Corporate Supporter:
Sometimes the benefits of fundraising go beyond the financial rewards; here judges focused on further reaching support and its benefits.
Finalists and other Sussex businesses are invited to a superb drinks reception and awards dinner at the South Lodge Hotel near Horsham on Thursday March 14 where the winners will receive their trophies. The evening will be hosted by Juice 107.2’s ‘Mr Love’, Ambrose Harcourt, and TV actress, Julie Graham. Both Julie and Ambrose are Patrons of Chestnut Tree House.
A limited number of tickets are on sale for £50 each or £500 for a table of ten by calling 01903 871821.