CHARITY OF THE YEAR AWARD JAMES COWPER


SPONSORED BY


Winner: Helen & Douglas House


Helen & Douglas House Hospice crowned its 30th anniversary celebrations in style when it was named as the winner of the inaugural Charity of the Year Award.


This new category, sponsored by James Cowper, leading accountants and business advisers, attracted entrants from charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations across the Thames Valley.


Judges who selected the five finalists were looking for the organisation which demonstrated outstanding achievement and service to its beneficiaries, innovative fundraising ideas and achievement of its goals over the past year.


They called the Helen & Douglas House Hospice team: “Exceptional people doing outstanding things for exceptional people”. And they commended it for demonstrating a “continued level of outstanding commitment to its charitable aims and objectives”.


It was exactly 30 years to the date of the awards evening when Helen House, the world’s first hospice for children opened in November 1982. It was followed by the opening of Douglas House for young adults in 2004.


The two hospice houses have paved the way in young people’s palliative care, offering specialist symptom and pain management, medically- supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family.


Mike Farwell, partner and head of charities and www.businessmag.co.uk


education at James Cowper, said: “In a new award for 2012, we were delighted to have the opportunity of recognising the fantastic work done by charities and not for profit organisations across our region by sponsoring the Charity of the Year Award.


“We were fortunate to meet a lot of great charities throughout the process and choosing a winner was particularly tough in light of the entries we received, but choose we had to do.


“Helen & Douglas House demonstrated a continuing level of outstanding commitment across the entire organisation to its charitable aims and objects as well as service improvements to its beneficiaries. On top of this they achieved significant income generation targets in the face of continuing economic uncertainty, the PQASSO Quality Mark from the Charities Evaluation Service and a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Their 30th anniversary year has been one to remember and we wish them continued success for the next 30.”


Farwell, together with Hilary Devey, presented the award to Helen & Douglas House Hospice chief executive, Tom Hill (pictured with trophy), who said afterwards: “I’ve been involved in a number of similar awards in the past where a charity is nominated and possibly becomes a finalist without any robust judging process.


“Thames Valley Business Magazine’s Awards felt very different. Andy Cowie and Andy Jones from James Cowper visited the charity’s offices in Oxford and put Jo Mitchell (head of


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 12/JANUARY 13


fundraising) and I through a rigorous interview. Challenging questions were posed and answers were probed. Experiencing this process makes the Award truly worth having.


“The strength of support and goodwill for Helen & Douglas House at the Awards Ceremony was palpable. It made me realise how far we have come in embedding the charity in its various communities. Helen House and Douglas House are no longer perceived as the Oxford hospices for children and young adults – but rather the regional charity that provides very special care and support throughout the entire Thames Valley.


“I am indebted to the judges for choosing Helen & Douglas House from the charity nominees – each of which makes such a huge difference to the lives of their beneficiaries. In my opinion they are all winners.”


Taking second place was Launchpad Reading, which is dedicated to giving people in Reading a second chance; while in third was Berkshire Maestros, whose mission is to inspire children and young people to make music.


Highly commended were Soha Housing and The Oasis Partnership.


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