Celebrating the dedication, generosity and unimaginable feats of fundraisers and charities from across the globe.
The JustGiving Awards made a triumphant return this evening with a star-studded ceremony hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Vick Hope & Jordan North at London’s iconic Camden Roundhouse.
Guests including Jamie Laing, Sophie Habboo, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Saffron Barker, Kate Lawler, Josh Patterson, Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas were in attendance to celebrate the extraordinary human beings making the world a better place over the past twelve months.
“The JustGiving Awards puts a well-deserved spotlight on those doing good and spreading kindness. After three years, we’re delighted to be able to come together at this inspirational event and celebrate the incredible fundraisers and charities working hard to leave the world a little better than when they found it.” – Pascale Harvie, President & General Manager, JustGiving
Since the last JustGiving Awards in 2019, one and a half million people have helped raise over £2 billion for good causes through JustGiving.
Tens of thousands of public nominations were cast for the well-deserving finalists who attended the ceremony and enjoyed a three-course meal, live music, and dancing into the night.
The emotional and inspiring ceremony honoured this year’s remarkable winners, from the 12-year-old who raised over £600k by sleeping in a tent for months, to the 82-year-old mountain lover who decided he’d climb all 282 Scottish Munros in 1200 days to help support people like his wife, who was diagnosed with dementia.
There was a standing ovation as all 3 finalists each won a prize holiday sponsored by Eurocamp. Not a dry eye in the house for these incredibly brave children, fundraising for some amazing causes.
The category with the most amount of money raised between the finalists was Fundraising Team of the Year – with a combined total of £1,636,000.
The evening culminated with the Special Recognition Award, which celebrates the outstanding contribution of an individual who has made a real impact on the world around them. This year, JustGiving is recognised by the late Dame Deborah James DBE, and her fundraising achievements for the BowelBabe Fund.
Deborah was the recipient of the 2019 Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year at the JustGiving Awards, and the total on her JustGiving campaign page currently stands at over £7.5m. The award was presented to her brother Ben James, by Deborah’s close friend and Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon.
The JustGiving Awards 2022 winners are:
Young Fundraiser of the Year, presented by Ryan Thomas – Max Woosey from Devon.
Collecting over £600,000 would be impressive for anyone – let alone a 12-year-old.
“This award shows how much children can do and what an impact children can make!
I want to thank my family for supporting me and to Rick who gave me my first tent and started my adventure!”
Creative Fundraiser of the Year, presented by Konnie Huq – Hercule Van Wolfwinkle from Worthing, West Sussex.
Hercule has been called many things in life, an artist certainly isn’t one of them.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the other nominees in my category, nights like tonight aren’t about one winner, everyone who is raising money and doing something to make the world a better place – is a winner – we are all winners.
I’d also like to thank everyone who has donated and came into this project with humour, warmth and generosity. Generosity is key and thank you is all I’ve got.
Finally, thank you to the staff and hundreds of volunteers at Turning Tides. It’s World Homelessness Day today, and it’s a pleasure to fundraise for you and an honour to represent you.”
This category received the most votes with over 18,000 votes.
Fundraising Team of the Year, presented by Jamie Laing & Sophie Haboo – 3 Dad’s Walking – Michael Pamer, Tim Owen and Andrew Airey, from Manchester, Norfolk and Cumbria.
Three dads walking hundreds of miles in memory of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, who all took their own lives.
“Our Worlds fell apart when our daughters died. We were shattered. You don’t know how to breathe on that day. But we decided we were going to something positive and by a fluke we found each other.
This is for Sophie, Beth and Emily and all the other 6000 families a year that are going through a similar trauma and we’re giving those families a voice. We want to thank Papyrus and the awesome JustGiving for giving us the amazing platform!
Our petition has had 110,000 signatures. The changes we want to be put into the schools curriculum surrounding mental health and enabling students to be far more resilient when they become adults.
Sign the petition! And the government will have to listen! Thank you.”
Changemaker of the Year, presented by Kate Lawler – Hayley Kirby-Bulner from Andover, Hampshire.
It’s well-known that dogs bring people a lifetime of happiness. So it’s no wonder Hayley decided to train a team of them.
“I want to give a big thank you to our supporters for pushing us and getting us this far. Everyone here tonight, you’re an inspiration with all the ways you help make a difference, THANK YOU!”
Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year, presented by Ruby Adler – Kevin Sinfield from Leicester.
Former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league captain, Kevin Sinfield has proved he’ll always go the extra mile
16,500 votes
Endurance Fundraiser of the Year, presented by Josh Patterson – Nick Gardner from Scotland.
Nick would climb every mountain to make his wife, Janet, better.
“I feel like an imposter here having seen what those children went through, the charities they have supported and the work they have done. It brought tears to my eyes.
I am so pleased to be able to accept this award from you all, and many thanks to everyone that has supported me on my challenge. I find this an unbelievably surreal experience. Climbing the Munros was surreal, but this has beaten it hands down! I’m so grateful to everyone and thank you to JustGiving – thank you very much!”
Charity of the Year, presented by Holly Coventry – The Brain Tumour Charity
Outstanding Commitment, presented by Saffron Barker – John Burkhill from Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Come rain or shine, 83-year-old John (affectionately known as ‘The Man with the Pram’) can be seen almost every day walking around the streets of Sheffield wearing his trademark Green Wig and Pushing a Pram.
Special Recognition- Dame Deborah James DBE (Woking, Surrey) and the BowelBabe Fund (accepted by Bryony Gordan)
All three finalists of the Young Fundraiser of the Year award received an all-expenses paid holiday sponsored by Eurocamp.
Nominations for the JustGiving Awards 2023 will open in May.
