Scottish Charity Awards Success
Leuchie House received the highest praise for its work and impact when it won two prestigious prizes at the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards in Glasgow.
The charity won Campaign of the Year for the Big Hare Trail and completed a memorable double by coming out on top in the Digital Citizen category for its pioneering work in enabling technology.
Leuchie's name flashed up in lights twice among the list of 10 winners revealed at an awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow, hosted by Sally Magnusson.
The Campaign of the Year prize was picked up by Leuchie CEO Mark Bevan, in the absence of our Head of Fundraising and Communications, Lana Bambridge, who is currently off on maternity leave; while the Digital award was collected by Leuchie’s Co-Head of Enabling Technology Elizabeth McDowell.
The Digital Citizen prize recognised Leuchie’s progress in establishing a new Centre for Enabling Technology, empowering people affected by conditions such as MS, MND and Parkinson's to enjoy greater independence - both at Leuchie, and when they return home. Leuchie have also installed SMART technology in bedrooms, embarked on an exciting partnership with the National Robotarium, and saved the NHS thousands through a digital pressure sore mapping system.
Reflecting on the accolades, Mark said: “We were delighted that Leuchie won not one but two Scottish Charity of the Year Awards! The Big Hare Challenge involved the whole of the Leuchie community and certainly putting the fun into fundraising.
“Community is really important to us at Leuchie. We can only do what we do because we have a community of donors and supporters who get behind the community of people who visit, volunteer and work here in Leuchie House.
“The Big Hare challenge saw 10 larger than life hares decorated by local artists, chosen through a competition which involved local business partners as sponsors. The hares then went on display around North Berwick to create a trail, with lots of associated activity and generating a huge social media following.
“Nearly £200,000 was raised for Leuchie’s work at a time during which event-based fundraising was not allowed, due to COVID restrictions. We are so proud to be a part of a bigger community and delighted that our community got as much as we did from the project.
“Our second award was for our use of enabling technology. Most of the guests who come to Leuchie need the physical help of a loved one to do everyday things, like turn on a light or TV or open curtains. Simple, relatively cheap and off the shelf technology, if used smartly can return some independence back to people who have lost those capabilities.
“Leuchie is developing a National Centre for Enabling Technology to re-enable, to test and even to design new technologies. We have great partnerships with Universities, The National Robotarium and of course guests and carers who test the art of the possible while they are with us, with the equipment extending the benefit from their stay at Leuchie into their home when they return.”
The Charity Awards, run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 44 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.
The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the 10th People’s Choice category – won by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - decided by the public with over 18,000 votes cast online.
Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that every day, voluntary organisations across the country are working tirelessly to support the people and communities they help, and are making an incredible impact.
“We are thrilled to have been able to join together in person to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, after hosting the previous two years’ ceremonies online due to the pandemic.
“This year’s finalists have all demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to their communities and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their successes.
“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the Crowne Plaza, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who made the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards so wonderful. Congratulations to all winners!”
Elsewhere, the awards saw a number of other organisations pick up gongs, with Charity of the Year being won by S.M.I.L.E Counselling. Perth and Kinross based Feldyroo won the Community Action award, while Sustainable Thinking Scotland lived up to its name by picking up the Climate Conscious award.
In the individual awards, 81-year-old veteran volunteer Nan Fotheringham of Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau won Volunteer of the Year, with Employee of the Year going to Claire Wadsworth of Scottish Families Affected By Alcohol And Drugs. Ian Monteague of Fare Scotland was chosen as Trustee of the Year.
Full list of Scottish Charity Award 2022 winners:
- Charity of the Year award: S.M.I.L.E Counselling
- Campaign of the Year award: The Big Hare Trail - Leuchie House
- Volunteer of the Year award: Nan Fotheringham - Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau
- Community Action award: Feldyroo
- Employee of the Year award: Claire Wadsworth - Scottish Families Affected By Alcohol And Drugs
- Climate Conscious award: Sustainable Thinking Scotland
- Pioneering Project award: The Access Hub - Simon Community Scotland
- Trustee of the Year award: Ian Monteague - Fare Scotland
- Digital Citizen award: Leuchie House
- People’s Choice award: The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
You can read more about all of the winners here: https://scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/previous-winners/winners-2022
