Inspirational young people who support the Nottingham-based charity Framework received special recognition at a dedicated awards ceremony in Nottingham on Friday 30 June.
Framework’s Young Supporters’ Awards, held for the first time last year, celebrated nine individuals and groups from the Nottingham area, aged between 7 and 18. They have all organised or taken part in fundraising events or activities to raise awareness of homelessness.
One young fundraiser turned cartwheels to raise money and another bounced on a trampoline. One young lady, who did her fundraising in Barcelona, flew in specially to receive her award.
The combined value of their efforts is estimated to be around £6,700.
The event, organised by Framework in partnership with the Djanogly Learning Trust, took place at the Djanogly City Academy’s theatre on Sherwood Rise, Nottingham.
The winners were joined by their families, friends, teachers and group leaders who saw them receive their awards from Framework’s Head of Fundraising and Communications Claire Eden. They also met Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome and heard from inspirational speaker Steve Judge and Framework service user Mel Bensley. The evening was introduced by Liz Anderson, CEO of the Djanogly Learning Trust.
One young winner, 9 year old Charlie from Brookside Primary School, East Leake, no doubt spoke for many. He said:
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I feel so proud to be here.”
The award recipients were:
Seven year old Mayla Oxlade who is from Nottingham but lives in Barcelona took part in a 5km run at her dad’s workplace in November to raise money for Framework because, in her own words, “it’s so unfair that some people don’t even have a home”. Having raised £370 so far she now has more exciting fundraising plans for Framework and is aiming to raise over £1,000 in total. Mayla flew in from Barcelona with mum Hannah and dad Ian on Friday morning especially to receive her award!
Ten year old May Matthews from West Bridgford wanted to do something to raise money for Framework having seen people experiencing homelessness at one of Framework’s housing services near her home. May decided to take on a fundraising challenge, completing 150 cartwheels in just five minutes and raised £335 for Framework from her friends and family.
Eight year old Georgia Danvers from Arnold had seen her older brother Olly getting involved with Framework through his local Scout group in the Central Notts Scouts District and wanted to do something herself to make a difference. Georgia decided to take on a fundraising challenge, completing 3,000 bounces on her trampoline in all weathers during January and February and raised £61.
Sisters Amber and Jasmine Millar (13 and 11) have donated their Christmas money to Framework for three years in a row – a huge £40 each! The girls have also held a cake sale in aid of Framework, raising £203, and Jasmine has also supported Framework this year at her school, Brookside Primary School.
Riverside Youth Group, a group of compassionate young people at Riverside Church in Southwell, have been raising funds and awareness of Framework – arranging a Fundraising Gala night as well as organising and taking part in their own Sleep Out.
Children at Brookside Primary School in East Leake – a longstanding supporter of Framework – have taken part in several initiatives, including collecting Christmas gifts for Framework’s housing service for homeless families and participating in a school-wide Sleep Out on the playground, raising money through sponsorship.
Pupils at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy in Heanor learned about some of the challenges surrounding homelessness, before taking part in their own Sleep Out at school to raise both funds and awareness.
Young people from several groups in the Central Notts Scouts District have supported Framework for the last two years, creating posters to raise awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness and the work of Framework, as well as collecting food, toiletries and gifts for Framework’s Elizabeth House supported housing service in Woodthorpe, Nottingham. Scouts from several groups have also taken part in Framework’s annual Big Sleep Out, again raising awareness as well as much-needed funds.
A group of friends from The Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Academy in Woodthorpe asked their teachers if they could organise a Sleep In at school to raise awareness of homelessness. With the help of their teachers, many children from across the school slept in the school hall overnight and raised lots of money through sponsorship.
Commenting on this outpouring of youthful compassion and philanthropy, Claire Eden, Framework’s Head of Fundraising & Communications, said:
“We rely hugely on the generosity of our friends in the community to help us continue offering Framework’s life-changing services, whether that’s through financial donations and fundraising activity, corporate sponsorship and pro-bono work, donations of gifts in kind or simply by spreading the word about our work.
“We were therefore delighted to celebrate the achievements and commitment of some remarkable young people at our Young Supporters’ Awards. The inspiring young people who received awards have all gone above and beyond to make a difference to the lives of the people Framework supports.
“On behalf of everyone at Framework I’d like to say a huge “Thank You” and congratulations to all the incredible and inspiring young people who are receiving awards.”
Speaking directly to the award recipients Claire said:
“We are very proud of your achievements and hope that our awards ceremony inspired you to continue making a difference in your local communities for years to come. You are our future changemakers and we know you will all go on to do great things.
“I’d also like to thank your friends and family, as well as your leaders and teachers, for supporting you in all you have done. We like to think of ourselves as a family here at Framework and you are now all a part of that Framework Family.”
Liz Anderson, CEO of the Djanogly Learning Trust said:
“The Djanogly Learning Trust is proud to have opened its facilities to support Framework in their celebration of young fundraising success.
“We are proud to work in partnership with a leading organisation that changes lives and recognises the efforts and diligence of young people.”
Posted on 04 July 2023
