The search is on for the £30,000 winner of Gordon Brown's 'Nobel Prize of the Charity World'

The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust has today put out the call for nominations for the 2008 Beacon Prize. Together with the Government's Cabinet Office, the Charity is urging people throughout the UK to nominate individuals who have made a significant charitable contribution in giving time, money or skills to a specific cause.

With awards in 5 categories and additional regional prizes for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the winners will be invited to attend a gala evening in London where the overall prize winner will receive £30,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.

Beacon's former Chair and Broadcaster, Martyn Lewis CBE notes:

"The Beacon Prize, described by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP, as 'the Nobel Prize of the charity world', aims to encourage a culture of giving in the UK by uncovering and recognising extraordinary achievements in the world of charity."

"Beacon has had a remarkable response to last year's Prize nomination scheme, revealing stories of extraordinary individuals who have worked to make a difference, be it locally or on a global scale. Each in turn represents the Beacon belief in the strength of individual philanthropy and we are confident this year's nominations will highlight the work of many more yet unnamed heroes who have given so much in the name of charity."

Nominations close on 1st July 2008. Nominations forms can be downloaded from the Beacon website: www.beaconfellowship.org.uk

Do you know someone who deserves a Beacon Prize?

• Perhaps a young person who donates their time and talent to help others?
• Or a person with energy and originality, who transformed things in their community?
• Or someone who has used their skills to help transform a charity?
• Has someone you know created an idea that has changed peoples' lives?

Whatever your story Beacon wants to hear about it. Categories for nomination include Leadership, Community Builder, Creative Giving, New Initiatives and Young Philanthropist.

If you'd like to nominate someone for the Beacon Prize 2008, please visit www.beaconfellowship.org.uk for a nomination form. Alternatively, you can email enquiries@beaconfellowship.org.uk or telephone 020 7203 8291.

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For press details call Maeve Anglim at Beacon on 020 7203 8291 or email maeve.anglim@beaconfellowship.org.uk

 

Notes for Editors

The Beacon Fellowship is a charitable organisation set up to encourage individual contributions to charitable and social causes and to celebrate and showcase best practice in giving. Beacon awards annual prizes to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to charitable causes or to organisations that benefit the public.

An overall winner will be selected every year, who will be given a cash award of £30,000, to be invested in an innovative way by the winner in a charity of their choice. Beacon believes that by highlighting the achievements of the prize winners and showcasing innovation and best practice in philanthropy, others will be inspired and encouraged to make their own contribution.

The objectives of the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust are as follows:

• To run a nationally recognised prize scheme through which the charity sector can acknowledge and reward exceptional philanthropic acts by individuals (giving of time, leadership, money, skills and ideas)
• To highlight motivating role models and forms of giving to inspire and educate the next generation of donors
• To showcase and implement innovative grant-making techniques through an annual grant by Beacon
• To develop a Fellowship body of prize winners who, as they grow in number, are an active force in the charity sector and help raise general awareness and educate the general public

www.beaconfellowship.org.uk