Scottish charity wins the Guardian Charity Awards 2003
Friends of the Earth Scotland was announced today as one of the winners of the Guardian Charity Awards 2003. The Scottish-based charity received their award at a ceremony in London hosted by former jockey and Grand National winner, Bob Champion MBE.
The Guardian Charity Awards aim to reward small charities, with an income of less than £1 million for their contribution to social welfare in the community. Each winner receives a cheque for £5,000 and a website designed by Smartchange.
Friends of the Earth was the only Scottish-based charity to win. The others winners were: Theodora Children’s Trust, London; Shilbottle Skills Centre, Northumberland; Ace of Clubs, London; and No Panic, Telford.
Commenting Friends of the Earth ScotlandÕs Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that our ground-breaking work on environmental justice has been recognised by this prestigious award. It is Friends of the EarthÕs work with socially and economically disadvantaged communities across urban and rural Scotland that truly sets us out from the rest of the environment movement. We know that by empowering communities with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental problems for themselves will, in the long run, benefit us all”.
The winners were decided by a judging panel that included: Simon Armson, Chief Executive of the Samaritans; Naomi Eisenstadt, Chief Executive, Sure Start; Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, National Council of Voluntary Organisations; Tina Christou, Head of property communications, J Sainsbury plc and David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian. David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian, said: ” Once again the judging panel have been staggered by the standard of entries to the Guardian Charity Awards. This is a great opportunity to reward the invaluable contribution that these small charities make to their local communities”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS CONTACT:
Diane Heath, Guardian Press Office, 020 7239 9936.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Friends of the Earth Scotland
Friends of the Earth Scotland set up the UK’s first accredited environmental justice course for community activists, training 16 socially and economically disadvantaged communities across urban and rural Scotland. Successes include a community waste minimisation network in Mull and Iona; a women’s health and housing group; a nappy network promoting environmentally friendly nappies; the largest community sustainability audit in Midlothian; and a campaign which halted the development of a damaging sand and gravel quarry near a community.
http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk
