The Rev. Canon William Broad, an inspiring community supporter from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has won recognition for his work with young people as one of only 16 recipients of the prestigious 2005/6 Beacon Prize, announced today. 

The Canon, known to all as Bill, was chosen for his personal commitment and his family's dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through sailing and recreation. For more than 22 years, Bill, supported by his family, has been wholly dedicated to providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people through developing their individual skills in community-based activity.

Canon Broad set up the Cirdan Sailing Trust in 1983 having previously founded Patmos House, a residential centre for young people at risk in Sheffield.  Under Bill Broad's leadership, the Cirdan Trust has helped over 25,000 disadvantaged young people to develop team building skills, motivation, discipline and self-esteem.

Canon Broad, an experienced sailor, donated his family inheritance to found the Cirdan Sailing Trust, which today, works with schools, youth groups, youth offending and probation teams, the prison service and disabled groups. In 1990, he founded the Trust's sister charity The Faramir Trust, with a personal investment of £900,000. Canon Broad also provided the Trust with a £250,000 interest-free loan to enable the organisation to remain solvent.

Beacon Chairman Martyn Lewis notes: "The work of Canon Broad, through the Cirdan Trust is extraordinary, but what is all the more remarkable is the Canon's determination to persuade his own family to contribute wholeheartedly to the Trust.  This Award recognises the importance of nurturing the value of contributing to the wider community by encouraging generation upon generation to actively become involved in working with others less fortunate than themselves".

Also named among the 16 Beacon prize winners for 2005/6 are Paul and Diana Lamplugh who are recognised for their work through the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, created after the disappearence of their daughter in 1986, working to establish a greater awareness of personal safety whilst addressing the issues of violence and aggression in society at large; homelessness campaigner, John Bird, founder of The Big Issue and the 'Angel of Nagpur', Leah Pattison, whose life has been devoted to working with lepers in central India.

The Prize Ceremony will take place in November 2006 when the winners will be inaugurated as Beacon Fellows, a community of Beacon Prize winners who together, champion charitable causes across the globe and nurture a wider culture of giving in the UK.  The ceremony will also see the overall Beacon Prize winner announced, receiving £30,000 to donate to a charitable cause of their choice.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Victoria Walsh on 020 7861 8568 or email vwalsh@bell-pottinger.co.uk or Fintan Nicholls at Beacon on 020 7203 8295 or email fintan.nicholls@beaconfellowship.org.uk