Leah Pattison, a charity worker from Weardale, County Durham, has been named winner of the prestigious Beacon Prize for New Initiatives for her work with sufferers of leprosy in India.

Leah, known as the ‘Angel of Nagpur’, founded ‘START’ in 2000, a charity which assists women who have leprosy, by providing clothing, shelter, education and legal advice to the Community. During her training as a leprosy paramedic, she too contracted the disease. Now fully cured, Leah continues to be one of only two people working in the Nagpur region providing support to leprosy sufferers and their families.

Leah is one of the 16 recipients of the 2005/6 Beacon Prize, who were chosen for their exceptional philanthropic contribution through the giving of their time, money and skills in order to benefit specific charitable causes and all of whom join the ranks of previous winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith who have each been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the ‘Nobel Prize of the charity world’, first coined by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Chair of the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust, Martyn Lewis notes: “Leah is especially deserving of the Beacon Prize for New Initiatives: not only has she made a huge difference to the lives of people otherwise forgotten and uncared for by society, but she has done this at the expense of her own health. Leah is a shining example of the power of each individual’s ability to help others”.

Leah added: “It is an honour to receive this award, which I believe is another important step in breaking the taboo over leprosy. Despite living in the 21st Century leprosy continues to affect millions of people worldwide, particularly those in the slums of India. This award will raise understanding of the devastating impact of the disease.”

Also named as 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 disappearance 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, the founder of The Big Issue and Vivien Duffield, philanthopist and arts patron who through the Clore Foundation has pledged more than £11 million to charitable causes.

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 the charitable cause of their choice.

ENDS

For further information on the Beacon Prize, winners’ biographies and photos of the 2005/6 award recipients or on The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust 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