A young British volunteer who has dedicated the past four years to turning around the lives of neglected children in the state-run orphanages of Romania has been recognised for his humanitarian efforts through the acclaimed Beacon Prize.
 
23 year old Benjamin Wells, named Young Philanthropist 2005/6 in the prestigious Beacon Awards, is one of just 16 other recipients of the 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. They 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.

Ben has given vulnerable Romanian children and young people from troubled and poverty stricken backgrounds a real chance to overcome their difficulties. Through The Nightingales Children’s Project, they have been given the opportunity to access education and skills that can lead to employment as a means of escaping destitution. These achievements have also been all the more possible through Ben’s crucial role as fundraiser for these projects.

Chair of the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust, Martyn Lewis notes: “Ben is a model of young philanthropy. He has shown maturity beyond his years through his volunteer work and has played a pivotal role in giving neglected and excluded children a chance to learn and thrive despite the poverty they are born into”.

Also named as Beacon 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 agression in society at large; homelessness campaigner John Bird, the founder of The Big Issue and Leah Pattison, the ‘Angel of Nagpur’ whose life has been devoted to working with lepers in central India.

The Prize Ceremony will take place in November 2006 where 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 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 on 0207 203 8295 or email fintan.nicholls@beaconfellowship.org.uk