Beacons for charity

Do you know anyone who does inspiring charity work in their spare time?

Or a charity that has really helped to make a difference?

Or someone who freely gives their time or money to those in need?

The Beacon Fellowship is a new national scheme that aims to foster a culture of giving in the UK, and to inspire people to give by highlighting the achievements of winners of a new award, the Beacon Prize.

Each year Beacon will award six annual prizes to individuals who have made exceptional contributions either to charitable causes or to organisations that benefit the public. Winners are likely to have helped a charity, project or cause by giving money or by providing leadership, creative ideas, skills or time without personal reward.

There are six categories of Beacon Prize: lifetime contribution, leadership, start-ups, creative giving, young philanthropy and courageous giving. Winners will be announced in October 2003.

An overall winner will receive a cash award of £20,000 to be invested in an innovative way in a charity of his or her choice.

This prestigious award scheme is supported by five founder partners, The Giving Campaign , CAF , Classic FM , The Daily Telegraph and Bell Pottinger .

Judging the awards will be by Lord Puttnam, producer of 'Chariots of Fire' and Chairman of the Teaching Awards, Jane Trewson, founder of Comic Relief, Lord Deedes veteran journalist and commentator, Sir Anthony Kenny, Oxford Philosopher, Ram Gidoomal entrepreneur and philanthropist, and Maggie Semple, head of the Experience Corps.

The deadline for nominations is 15 July 2003 . Already there have been some excellent nominations for some truly exceptional people, but if you know of someone that is doing some truly great work, there’s still time to tell Beacon about it.

For more information, or to request a nomination form, contact:

The Beacon Fellowship
12 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4RB

020 7849 6550
www.beaconfellowship.org.uk