South Wales winners revealed at NSPCC Childhood Champion awards

South Wales winners revealed at NSPCC Childhood Champion awards

The NSPCC’s Childhood Champion Awards have this week shone a spotlight on the charity’s unsung heroes who support its work.

The awards, which launched in 2016 and run every two years, recognise the valuable contribution of the NSPCC’s outstanding volunteers and celebrate those who go the extra mile.

Three of the UK winners were from South Wales and were announced at a ceremony at Banking Hall, London, where they received a certificate signed by HRH The Countess Of Wessex, the NSPCC’s patron.

Elonwy Evans was awarded Employee Volunteer of the Year for her work at the Swansea service centre, Naomi Lea, who volunteers for Childline in both Cardiff and Prestatyn, was awarded Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year, and the Cardiff Branch was jointly crowned Branch of the Year.

The event also featured presentations by Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC; Dame Esther Rantzen, Founder of ChildLine and Trustee; and Mark Wood, Chairman of the NSPCC.

There were 12 award categories which honoured the commitment, creativity and contribution of NSPCC volunteers:

• Outstanding Achievement of the Year
• Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year
• Schools Volunteer of the Year
• Childline Volunteer of the Year
• Children’s Services Volunteer of the Year
• Employee Volunteer of the Year
• Event Volunteer of the Year
• Community Volunteer of the Year
• School of the Year
• Branch of the Year
• Corporate Partner of the Year
• Volunteer Leader of the year

Naomi Lea volunteers for the Participation Unit and both Cardiff and Prestatyn Childline bases, fundraises for the NSPCC, and raises awareness of Childline through talking in the media. Colleagues who nominated her said she had made a “huge contribution to the charity” and was “very passionate and driven, and will always take the opportunity to make sure the voices of children and young people are heard”.

Speaking after receiving the award, Naomi said: “It’s a complete honour to have won the award and was such a lovely surprise even though I couldn’t be there in person. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet but it’s amazing to see the NSPCC recognising their volunteers for everything they do. I have volunteered for over three years now as a young ambassador and for the last year in Childline. After using Childline myself when I was younger, I wanted to give back and I’ve truly loved every moment of it.”

Elonwy Evans was awarded for “going above and beyond” supporting fundraising at the Swansea service centre, including running the London Marathon in 2016. One colleague who nominated her said she was “a fantastic ambassador for the NSPCC with her friendly, approachable manner which makes it easy for her to chat to people about our work and how we change childhoods”.

Speaking after receiving the award, Elonwy, who has worked for the NSPCC as a child service practitioner for the last 10 years, said: “It was an amazing day and a humbling experience. I felt a bit of a fraud meeting all these people that have given more than 40 years worth of service to the organisation.”

Elonwy, 51, added: “I was chuffed to bits just to be nominated. I nearly choked on my chips when they announced me as the national winner.”

The Cardiff fundraising branch was jointly crowned Branch of the Year after seeing its fundraising rise over the last three years from £63k in 2014/15 to £93k for 2017/2018. Emma Brennan, Appeals Board Manager who nominated the branch, said the Cardiff Central district “continue to achieve phenomenal fundraising due to their active young committee, a steady calendar of annual successful events and a group of committed supporters for their events which vary from lunches to golf days to shopping trips and Christmas Fayres”.

Liane Smith, Head of Volunteering at the NSPCC, said: “We have around 11,000 volunteers across the NSPCC – incredible people who are committed to sharing their passion, skills and time.

“Without all of our amazing volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to achieve what we do for children and we’re thankful for what each and every single one of them is able to give.”

There are many ways to support the work of the NSPCC – for example by volunteering to help teach children about the signs of abuse through the Speak Out Stay Safe service, volunteering for Childline or taking part in an NSPCC event.

To find out more about what you can do, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do