[WiLT] SEARCH FOR UK'S CHARITY HERO - £30,000 PRIZE

[WiL Admin]

CALL TO FIND UK'S CHARITY HERO

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
<http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk/>

Do you know someone who deserves a Beacon Prize?

* Perhaps a young person who their time and talent to help others?

* Or a person with energy and originality, 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 people's
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 http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk/ for a nomination form.
Alternatively, you can email enquiries at beaconfellowship.org.uk or
telephone 020 7203 8291.

-Ends-

Notes

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

http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk/