Charities, voluntary groups and supporters from around the region have made the shortlist for the North East Charity Awards.
The awards, which are now in their eighth year, will take place at The Fed in Gateshead on October 19 and will highlight the region’s top charities, as well as fundraisers and leaders in the voluntary sector.
Last year Newcastle United Foundation – a charity using the power of football to connect, motivate and inspire people in our region - was named North East Charity of the Year, while other winners included Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, the Inn Collection Group and Beach Access North East
This year Citizens Advice Gateshead, Great North Air Ambulance Service, The Hospital of God at Greatham and Oasis Community Housing are in the running for the top prize with individuals and organisations from around the North competing for other awards.
Journal editor Graeme Whitfield said: “The last few years have shown us how much we need and value our North East charities. These awards make sure their work does not go unrecognised.
“I’m really looking forward to the night and meeting some of the nominees to hear about their work.”
Jeffrey Ball, divisional director of North East charities and institutional team at Brewin Dolphin and chair of the judging panel, said: “The judges were incredibly impressed at the range and quality of nominations this year. Every category was competitive and there were no easy decisions for the panel.
“However, the ones that have been shortlisted should feel very proud and represent the very best the North East has to offer.”
The awards, which will be hosted by radio personality Alfie Joey, are headline sponsored by Brewin Dolphin and are in association with VONNE and the Sir James Knott Trust. Category sponsors include Banks Group, County Durham Community Foundation, Millfield House Foundation, Muckle LLP and Newcastle Hospitals Charities.
The shortlist:
Outstanding charity support by large companies
Accenture Newcastle - Tech4Good Charity Team
Karbon Homes
Newcastle Building Society
Outstanding charity support by small to medium companies
Durham Box
Haines Watts
ITS Ltd
SOS Group
Corporate charity ambassador of the year
Sarah Gray
Amber Holt
Lee Perkins
Jason Watkin
Uniquely North East award
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Chopwell Regeneration Group
Mortal Fools
Success4All CIO
Outstanding social enterprise award
Daisy Chain Superstore & Coffee Shop
Society Matters CIC
Stomping Grounds Forest School
Veterans at Ease Enterprise Ltd
Outstanding contribution to social change award
Difference North East
Halo Project
Neurodiversity Think Tank
Recovery Connections
Charity leader of the year
Jon Niblo - NE Youth
Neeraj Sharma - Daisy Chain
David Smith - Teesside Hospice
Abby Traynor - Acorns
Charity champion of the year
Jodie Barwick-Bell
Rita Grey
Jean Griffiths
Ian Lowther
Young charity champion of the year
Zakiyya Kamran
Nathan Rennison
Small charity of the year
CREST - Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside
ESCAPE Family Support Ltd
Hart Gables
Love, Amelia
North East charity of the year
Citizens Advice Gateshead
Great North Air Ambulance Service
The Hospital of God at Greatham
Oasis Community Housing
* For tickets or more information, please visit northeastcharityawards.co.uk
