Chance for charities to win recognition

An event to celebrate the good work that companies and others do for charity in Northern Ireland got under way at BT Tower in Belfast.

The NICVA Link Awards 2008, in association with BT and supported by the Belfast Telegraph, were launched by Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of NICVA and Chris Clark, chief executive officer of BT Ireland.

21 years of Link

Mr McAleavey noted that we are now celebrating the 21^st birthday of the NICVA Link Awards.

"Over the last two decades we have seen wonderful examples of fund-raising and other work that companies, public bodies, schools, colleges, clubs and societies have done for charity.

"The Awards have recognised some of these partnerships but lots more good work is going on below the radar screen. More of this activity should be recognised and applauded. At the same time some businesses have little or no activity for good causes and I urge them to take their social responsibility seriously and get involved with local charities," Mr McAleavey said.

Promoting partnerships

"Promoting partnerships between business and the voluntary and community sector is vital to encourage more sustainable and thriving communities,” said Chris Clark. “BT's support of the NICVA Link Awards illustrates our commitment to this excellence and our longstanding support of many successful community programmes is testament to this.

“I encourage all community groups working for positive change to apply for an award," he added.

The NICVA Link Awards are not just about the valuable fund-raising that many people and organisations carry out for charities but also about the advice, help-in-kind and other support that they give.

Any voluntary and community organisation can submit nominations for the Awards in one of seven categories, including small and medium charities as well as the large household names.

Benefits of the NICVA Link Awards

By entering the NICVA Link Awards you can:

• Gain wider recognition for the work of your organisation;
• Develop relationships with existing commercial partners;
• Create potential for further involvement or new initiatives;
• Enhance the profile of your organisations;
• Create significant PR opportunities.

Award categories

Any voluntary and community organisation can submit nominations for the Awards. There are seven categories which will showcase the very best in local business/voluntary and community sector partnerships. The main prize is the Link Award. The others are:

• Small Charity,
• Medium Charity,
• Large Charity,
• Award for Innovation,
• Award for Challenge,
• Clubs and Societies and Schools and Colleges.

For further information and an entry form download the brochure from:

Link Awards 2008 Entry Brochure
Link Awards 2008 Entry Form
Link Awards 2008 Entry Form (Word document)

The closing date for entries is noon on 14 November 2007. Completed entries should be forwarded to Creative Events (NI) Ltd, 1 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HB tel: 028 9023 5001 or emailed to link@creativeevents.co.uk.
The gala dinner and announcement of winners will be on 7 February 2008.

More information

Creative Events (NI) Ltd
028 9023 5001
link@creativeevents.co.uk
www.creativeevents.co.uk