Awards are the LINK to honouring charity heroes

News release

Wednesday 7 May 2003

Awards are the Link to honouring charity heroes

It’s that time of year again when local charities are being asked to nominate their business supporters for the annual NICVA/Camelot Link Awards.

This will be the seventeenth year that these prestigious ‘Oscars’ have been presented to businesses and public sector bodies which have given their help, not just financially, but also in time, resources ideas and enthusiasm.

“These awards are the primary mechanism by which local voluntary and community organisations can demonstrate their thanks to those in the private and public sectors who have supported them,” said Seamus McAleavey, NICVA’s Chief Executive.

"The value of such support should not be underestimated and LINK is a unique opportunity to celebrate the success of many collaborative ventures.”

He added: “Our distinguished judging panel is looking forward to receiving your entries and I would encourage you all to make submissions, no matter how great or small the level of support you receive.”

Extending his thanks to Camelot which has supported the Link Awards for seven years, Mr McAleavey said: “Without their support, this event could not take place. We also receive great encouragement and support from the BelfastTelegraph and I am pleased that they are involved again this year.”

In a special message Camelot’s Chief Executive, Dianne Thompson, said:"Every year the quality and number of nominations has gone from strength to strength and I am sure 2003 will be no exception.”

She added: “A strong relationship between business and the voluntary sector is of vital importance and I am delighted that Camelot is able to play a part in helping to foster that relationship. Over the years the submissions speak of hard work from both sides, culminating in real achievement. I would like to wish all of you success in this year’s awards and look forward to being in Belfast for the presentation ceremony early in the autumn.”

Last year 106 nominations were received from all parts of Northern Ireland, and NICVA are hopeful that this year’s response will be even greater.

For further information, please contact:

Lise Mc Greevy , Communications Officer
028 9087 7777 (work)
0772 1746805 (mobile)

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. NICVA (the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) is the umbrella body which represents the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland
2. The Link Awards are divided into two main categories:
   Employee Category – divided into large company (100 plus employees) and small/medium sized company, and given to the employee or group of employees who best assisted the work of a charity in Northern Ireland in 2002.
   Company Category – divided into large company and small/medium sized company, and given to the employer or group who best assisted the work of a charity in Northern Ireland in 2002.
   The Link Trophy, the most prestigious award, will be chosen from the other categories, to go to the company which, together with its employees, has best assisted the work of a charity in Northern Ireland in 2002.
   There are also five regional awards for the northwest, the northeast, the southwest, the southeast and greater Belfast.
3. Nominations are judged by a panel consisting of representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors. The Chair again this year is Gerry Burns. Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony in Ramada Hotel in Belfast on 25 September 2003.
4. Nomination forms are available from Creative Events (NI) Ltd, 1 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HB. 028 9023 5001. The closing date for nominations is 12 noon on Wednesday 18 June 2003.
5. Camelot Group plc is the operator of the UK National Lottery and is not responsible for the allocation of funds raised to the Good Causes. Camelot is also one of the UK’s most generous corporate donors in terms of the percentage of pre-tax profits donated to charities and community projects.