Local Charity Nominated for National Award

Friends of Dukes Meadows 'among the best-managed charities in the UK'

Friends of Dukes Meadows has been nominated for a major prize, at The Charity Awards 2005, the charity sector’s most prestigious award scheme. The charity, which in 4 years has created social enterprises that now generate £50,000 a year and reduced vandalism in the area by engaging with local young people, has been short-listed in the Environment category and is hoping to pick up the coveted award at a glittering awards ceremony in London on 16th June.

The annual Charity Awards ceremony is the most high profile event on the charity world calendar. The awards recognise excellence in the management of charities, acknowledging the outstanding work and achievements of all charities, big or small, from across the UK and the tireless commitment of the people behind them. This is the sixth year that the awards have taken place and Friends of Dukes Meadows sits in illustrious company on the shortlist alongside RNID, Age Concern and the Samaritans.

The Charity Awards judges have recognised the excellent work Friends of Dukes Meadows has undertaken in involving a broad section of the local community and devising innovative ways of creating income to restore and maintain the Meadows area. If it does win its category, the charity could also pick up the overall award for excellence in charity management – a prestigious award given to the best of the category winners, won last year by year by RNID.

The Charity Awards 2005 is organised by Charity Finance magazine, the leading business publication for the voluntary sector. The distinguished panel of judges includes David Harker OBE, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Ian Allsop, Editor of Charity Finance magazine, Cedric Frederick, Chief Executive of PentaHact, Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the Red Cross and Maeve Sherlock OBE, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council.

Daniel Phelan, organiser of The Charity Awards 2005 said, " By being short-listed, Friends of Dukes Meadows has already demonstrated that they are among the best-managed charities in the UK and I wish them luck on the night’.

As well as the awards to charities, the judges will also make a special award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to excellence in charity management.

May 26, 2005