Amazing local charities were honoured and £5,000 was handed out.
The Leicestershire Community Champions Awards returned on Thursday, November 18 at the Leicestershire County Cricket Ground.
The ceremony saw The Zinthiya Trust take home the flagship award of Charity of the Year.
The event was set up by the Furnley House Foundation to celebrate the amazing people and organisations who have gone above and beyond to help their local communities.
The Furnley House Foundation is the brainchild of independent financial and mortgage advisory Furnley House. The foundation was created to improve the lives of those less fortunate.
For the awards, the foundation asked people to nominate their local heroes over ten categories including registered charities, community organisations, local businesses, as well as individuals.
Hosted by Lewis Moses, the awards evening was attended by 150 people.
Over £2,500 was raised on the night, which will be split equally between the five Charity of the Year finalists.
The Zinthiya Trust was awarded the title of Charity of the Year, winning a £5,000 grant as well as a share of the proceeds from the next Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball.
Stefan Fura, co-founder of Furnley House and Trustee of the Furnley House Foundation said: "We are delighted that we’re able to raise awareness and support so many local causes as well as celebrating the fantastic individuals and organisation who have really made a difference. Congratulations to all the very deserving finalists and winners.
"Thank you to all our judges and sponsors for their generous support of the Awards and the Furnley House Foundation."
Simon Winfield, Chair of the Furnley House Foundation said: "It is truly inspiring to see the great work undertaken in our local community by so many individuals and organisations.
"The awards go from strength to strength and we look forward to growing them into an even larger event to recognise the Leicester and Leicestershire community in 2022.”
Full list of winners, runners up and sponsors
Charity of the Year – Sponsored by Furnley House
Winner: The Zinthiya Trust
Falcon Support Services
Hope Against Cancer
Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project
The Rural Community Council for Leicestershire and Rutland
Charity Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Zone Developments
Winner: Louise Wylie - Eyres Monsell Club for Young People
Runners up:
Adam Smith – Help the Homeless Leicester
Sam Howlett - The Rural Community Council for Leicestershire and Rutland
Young Fundraiser of the Year – Sponsored by Mark J Rees
Winner: Toby Taylor
Runners Up:
Abbie Ghent
Ethan Beales
Fundraiser of the Year - Sponsored by Nelsons
Winner: Keanan Bartram
Runners Up:
Darren Bradbury
Tim Pearson
Environmental Project of the Year - Sponsored by Fischer Future Heat
Winner: Leicester Community Benefit Society
Runners Up:
Friends of Thringstone
Leicestershire Litter Wombles
Community Spirit Business Champion - Sponsored by Octopus Energy
Winner: Wigston Fields News and Deli
Runners Up:
Bakers Waste Services Ltd
Spoilt 4 Choice
Community Spirit Individual Champion - Sponsored by Asset Intelligence
Winner: Mezmin Malida
Runners Up:
Eunice Loney
Raj Gill-Harrison
Community Event - Sponsored by Furnley House Mortgages Winner: Lamp’s 5k Around the World Challenge
Runners Up:
Charity Easter Egg Run
RISE Foundation Leicestershire
Community Organisation - Sponsored by She Inspires
Winner: Friends of Thringstone
Runners Up:
Lulus Kitchen
Tiny Whiskers Rodent Rescue
Tracey Miller Achievement Award - Sponsored by The Miller Partnership
Winner: Leela Keshavji
Words by Emily Miller
Emily is a Senior Journalist for Niche Magazine with over a decade of journalism experience. She enjoys going to gigs, visiting galleries and walking in all weathers.
