Last night saw the official launch of the Yorkshire Children of Courage
Awards 2023 with a VIP launch event hosted by Salon Privé at the Dakota Hotel, Leeds.
The star-studded event featured an impressive guest list, including several of the charity’s brand ambassadors and local celebrities including football pundit and ex-England player Paul Robinson, former England cricketer and TopicUK ambassador Ryan Sidebottom, LUFC and Sheffield United legend Brian Deane and ex-England women’s Rugby League player, commentator Danika Priim, Leeds Entrepreneur Terry George and Emmerdale’s Moira Dingle, actress Natalie J. Robb
ITV Calendars favourite and Yorkshire Businesswoman ambassador Christine Talbot was also in attendance and is due to host the prestigious evening with BBC Presenter, Jon Hammond, on the 13th of October at Leeds’ New Dock Hall
Truly unique event
Now in its 11th year, the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards is a truly unique evening that combines honouring and recognising courageous young people in Yorkshire with raising funds for the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
Guests at the exclusive launch were greeted with cocktails on arrival, crafted by event sponsors Slingbsy’s Gin, canapes and live entertainment, including a roaming saxophonist and DJ supplied by Start to Finish Music and décor by Unique Balloons.
Speaking at the launch Jon Ellis, regional director for St James’s Place Leeds said: "It's a privilege for St James's Place Leeds to continue to host the Yorkshire Children of Courage awards."
"The event celebrates and recognises some very special children in our community. It's also fantastic to have other Yorkshire businesses support us by contributing back to the community, whilst generating funds for the Leeds St James's Place Charitable Foundation."
Children’s Charity of the Year
The awards ceremony organisers are hoping to attract up to 800 guests for the event, which includes categories for children aged between 0 - 12 years and young adults between 13 – 18 years. There will also be a separate category recognising a Children’s Charity of the Year.
All monies raised at the YCCA awards ceremony will be matched pound-for-pound by St. James’s Place. Over the last 11 years, funds raised by the YCCA have contributed hugely towards helping children, community groups and organisations across the Yorkshire region.
Ewan Dowes, chair of St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, said:
“Almost 650 guests attended last year’s event raising £25,000 before matching from St. James's Place. This year, we are aiming to make the event even bigger and better with a target of over 700 tickets and £50,000 in fundraising.’’
"The funds raised on the evening are there to help local charities across the Yorkshire region. Examples of charities we have supported recently are, Leeds Children’s Charity, Support Dogs and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund."
"We’re extremely proud to distribute numerous grants every year and see first-hand how much they help each charity fund a specific item or project”.
Headline Sponsor
2023 is the first year the event will have a Headline Sponsor, a role global tele-comms company Core Telecom are delighted to be part of.
Speaking on behalf of Core Telecom Francesca Lucci, charity liaison officer said: “At Core Telecom we have a history of helping charities cut costs and generate much-needed funds with our free 03 phone number service. In doing so, we’re allowing fantastic organisations to focus on the incredible work they provide without having to worry about the costs associated with a 03 number.’’
"Core Telecom is committed to celebrating the importance of charity services; as such, we deeply admire the opportunity that the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards provides in celebrating the achievements and resilience of children and young adults. We are very much looking forward to attending the October event.”
Yorkshire businesses
Other event sponsors include; Black Solicitors, Smurfit Kappa, Solution Performance Resourcing whilst many other great brands have offered their support via raffle prizes including Boodles, The Ivy Asia, First Direct Arena, Harvey Nichols, Dakota Hotel and acclaimed dress designer Rebecca Rhodes to name but a few. Yorkshire Wildlife Park are kindly donating family tickets for all the individual winners.
To find out how to nominate and see how your support can make a real difference to so many lives please visit www.yorkshirechildren.co.uk
