For starting innovative charities in the fields of autism and IT Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley has been nominated to receive a major new honour for her philanthropic endeavours - The Beacon Prize 2003.
Steve Shirley has been chosen as a winner in the Start Ups category. She is behind The Shirley Foundation, among the top 50 grant-giving foundations in the UK which, in the last six years, has awarded more than £50million worth of grants to charitable causes, and has initiated and funded more than 30 pioneering projects that have strategic impact as well as long-term sustainability.
Beacon is a new charitable initiative which is raising the profile of giving in the UK while actively acknowledging and rewarding exceptional philanthropic acts by individuals.
Nominees who will also be recognised include an enterprising unemployed mother who has helped to transform her local community and two social entrepreneurs who are helping African farmers improve their quality of life.
All the winners of the inaugural Beacon Prize 2003 have been selected by an expert panel of judges from an overwhelming response of 765 nominations. The final fourteen winners were chosen for their exceptional charitable efforts and because they are an inspiration for others to give of their time, money or expertise.
The full list of Beacon Prize winners 2003 is: -
- Professor David Morley - Lifetime Achievement
- Lord Bhatia of Hampton - Leadership
- Carol Wiggins - Leadership
- Dr Martin Fisher & Nick Moon - Creative Giving
- Tom Hunter - Creative Giving
- Jason Maude - Start Up
- Dame Stephanie Shirley - Start Up
- David Constantine - Courage
- Zac Goldsmith - Young Philanthropist
- Sarah Francis - Young Philanthropist
- Niall Quinn - Judge's Special Prize
- John Profumo - Judge's Special Prize
- Sir J Paul Getty - Judge's Special Posthumous Prize
The winners will be invited to attend a ceremony in the New Year at No. 11 Downing Street, hosted by the Rt. Hon Gordon Brown, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Here the winners will be presented with their prizes and the overall winner, who will receive a £20,000 donation for their charity, will also be announced.
In addition, they will be invited to become the first Beacon Fellows, who will help to shape the future of the charity and be an inspiration to other philanthropists.
Commenting on the announcement of the winner, Beacon's Chief Executive Emily Stonor, said: "The Beacon Prize is not about winners and losers. It's about celebrating and recognising people from whom we can all learn. We all have something to give - each and every one of us is capable of making a difference."
David Charters, Chair of Trustees, stated "In an age of cynicism, disengagement and increasing indifference these nominations show that many extraordinary people are working tirelessly and successfully to make a positive difference to society. We are still a nation of true philanthropists, reflecting our long and rich history of charitable activity."
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For further information please contact: Suzi Nealson or Anne Sampson at Good Relations on 0207 861 3217 or email snealson@goodrelations.co.uk or Emily Stonor at Beacon 0207 849 6550 or email emily.stonor@beaconfellowship.org.uk
