Winners - The Inspiration Awards For Women 2014

What an incredibly inspiring and humbling evening, celebrating women from all walks of life at the Inspiration Awards For Women. Raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

About

"The Inspiration Awards for Women celebrate the achievements of remarkable women who inspire those around them either through the media or through their astounding achievements in their everyday lives.

The awards ceremony is an uplifting and emotional event where stars and women from every walk of life are celebrated equally in one room. Along with promoting a positive image of women and acknowledging dynamic role models, the event raises money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer."

Founded by Sky Andrew after seeing the need to give our next generation more inspiring role models and to celebrate women from all walks of life for their amazing achievements. Inspired by his Mum and the hard work and achievements of the female influences in his life.

I shed a few tears through this extremely emotional evening, listening to the stories of the nominees and of the award winners. Tears of joy and of sadness.

It was an absolute honour to be in a room full of such determined, strong, courageous women, all there supporting and celebrating one another.

The energy at Cadogan Hall was electric. I left the ceremony with a renewed sense of purpose and a feeling of being part of a sisterhood. There is nothing we cannot achieve if we continue to support, celebrate and be there for our sisters.

"Empathy is really important. Only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our true potential.” - Jane Goodall

Presenters and Entertainment

This year's ceremony hosted by Andrew Castle and Sarah-Jane Mee with many well known and loved personalities presenting awards, including: TV presenters- Eamonn Holmes and Julia Bradbury, Singer - Heidi Eldridge and 10,000m European Champion Gold Medalist- Jo Pavey.

Opening the awards and kicking off the entertainment for the evening was stunning soul singer Mica Paris. Followed throughout the evening with outstanding performances from musical theatre and opera singers, including the beautiful classical star, Camilla Kerslake.

The Winners

Most Aspirational - Joanne Keeling

"Near tragedy, led to a bright little girl saving her mother's life, and sparking the idea for a project!

Two year old Isabelle called 999 whilst her mother was having a severe allergic reaction. Joanne believes any child can replicate this, advocating all parents of young children should teach this vital lifesaving skill. Joanne (a Police Officer) recognises the dangers children are faced with, and the difficulties that parents have teaching children various safety issues.

Joanne's first story book teaches children how/when (when not to!) call 999 and has since co-written further safety books with Isabelle (now 7)."

Human Rights - Susan Cox

"Sue is a powerful, tireless and inspirational advocate and speaker on the subject of childhood sexual abuse and the ensuing mental health effects of such trauma.

After recovering from clergy abuse which resulted in alcoholism, self-harm and an eating disorder, she is now a counsellor and healthcare tutor who heads up two organisations; SMART UK which teaches healthcare professionals within the NHS, armed forces and criminal justice system to understand about the brain and addiction; and an International Charity, Survivors Voice Europe, who spearheaded the campaign at the UN (CRC) to investigate the Vatican and the sexual abuse of children.

Not afraid to stand up for the rights of survivors and for people to truly understand the effects of abuse, Sue’s passion and focus is on empowerment, connection and identification of all survivors."

Style and Elegance - Elaine Paige

"Elaine Paige OBE is an English singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, North London, Elaine attended the Aida Foster stage school, making her first professional appearance on stage in 1964, at the age of 16.

Her appearance in the 1968 production of Hair marked her West End debut and this year, Elaine celebrates her 50 years in show business.

Not only has she made her contribution to show business, Elaine also supports the following charities to name a few, Breast Cancer Campaign, Chicken Shed Theatre Trust, The Children’s Trust Tadworth, The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, EveryChild, The Lady Taverners, Music Theatre 4 Youth, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, TheatreMAD, St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust and Variety – The Children’s Charity."

Aspirational Celebrity - Libby Clegg

"Libby Clegg is a Scottish Paralympic sprinter who has represented both Scotland and Great Britain at international events. She represented Great Britain in the T12 100 m and 200 m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, winning a silver medal in the T12 100 m race.

Libby won the 2014 Commonwealth Games T11/T12 100m with a run of 12.20 seconds, a world-leading time for the year.

Libby has a deteriorating eye condition known as Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy disease giving her only slight peripheral vision in her left eye – she is registered blind."

Inspirational Fundraiser - Lucy and Amelia Gebruers

"Lucy’s son was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour a few months later Lucy’s husband was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour after suffering a seizure while driving. After her husband had to give up his job as a pilot Lucy took on three jobs to keep the family home.

Her daughter Amelia decided she wanted to do something good to cancel out all the sad times and has organised a raffle at her school to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity and wrote a touching letter asking local business for help.

Amelia has been inundated with donations and items to auction she is likely to smash her £3000 target which will be shared between The Brain Tumour Charity, The Butterfly AVM Charity and Birmingham Children’s Hospital."

Next Generation - Frankie Bridge

"Singer, songwriter Frankie Bridge has enjoyed huge success as part of pop group The Saturdays releasing sixteen singles so far. Of these thirteen have reached the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, including one UK number-one single.

In 2001 Frankie was a member of ‘S Club Juniors’ who’s debut single reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart. Frankie has been consistently involved with fashion and Glamour Magazine regularly publishes "Get Frankie's Look" after winning the Glamour Award’s ‘Best Dressed’ category in 2011.

Frankie is also heavily involved in charity work and has been a prominent supporter of Mind's Time to Change, mental health anti-stigma campaign."

Most Inspirational - Gemma Gwilliam

"In 14 short years Gemma has had everything life can throw at her yet she stays strong and comes out smiling.

Gemma has lost her nan who was her inspiration, she has lost her house, been in hospital time and time again due to crumbling discs, told she can't have kids, lost a child during pregnancy, gave birth, got diagnosed with cancer, lost her hair.

Gemma moved close to parents to look after her mum who has dementia and her father who she lost to cancer. She also fosters two children and took on her parents three foster children. All by just 32."

Inspirational Student - Bethan Rimmington & Ellie Morrissey

"Bethan and Ellie, both university students from Enactus Sheffield work with the survivors of human trafficking, domestic and sexual abuse in the Sheffield scheme HOPE.

Bethan was an original member of HOPE, helping to develop it to date, with Ellie now directing the scheme. HOPE started as a jewellery business where the women are mentored one‐to‐one, to gain soft and business skills.

It then expanded additionally to a cosmetics business, which offers temporary employment to the women, helping them find permanent employment. HOPE has so far mentored and empowered 110 women, and raised awareness of human trafficking throughout the country."

Inspirational Celebrity - Jo Pavey

My running hero..."Jo Pavey is a British long-distance runner. She won the 10,000m gold medal at the 2014 European Championships in Zürich, ten months after giving birth to her second child, to become the oldest female European champion in history at the age of 40 years and 325 days.

Jo is a four-time Olympian, having represented Great Britain in every Olympic Games from 2000 to 2012. She is also the 2012 European Championship silver medalist in the 10,000m and a two-time 5000m medalist at the Commonwealth Games, winning silver in Melbourne 2006 and bronze in Glasgow 2014."

Inspiration Award Winners 2014

Claire Crowley

"Claire Crowley is a final year PhD student in University College London. Her project is to design and develop a synthetic windpipe replacement for patients with airway stenosis.

In June 2011, supported by her team at UCL, she designed and manufactured a tailor-made synthetic windpipe for a cancer patient with successful outcome, making it the world’s first synthetic transplanted organ.

Claire is passionate about science and aims to educate young people, in particular young women today, of the rewarding opportunities that a career path in science can provide.

She has spoken at events for young people and ran interactive sessions promoting the exciting world of science."

Heidi Eldridge

"5 years ago Heidi’s first son was sadly stillborn, a grief that turned her world upside down and was impacted further when she went on to suffer subsequent miscarriages.

Through these tragedies Heidi became determined to make a difference and prevent others from suffering the loss of their precious baby. She set up the pregnancy charity, MAMA Academy, to save babies lives.

The charity provides mums and healthcare professionals with vital knowledge and education to give every baby the best chance of arriving safely. Heidi works part-time, is a mummy to two young children and spends all her evenings running the charity."

Clare Eluka

"Aspirational Multi-Awarded Ethical Beauty Entrepreneur, Alchemist and Allergy Practitioner Clare Eluka, is a young British innovator in the international beauty and wellbeing industry.

After working 11 years in the beauty sector for global brands, at the tender age of 26, Clare created a new category index in the natural beauty sector – ‘Freefrom Beauty’ through her pioneering skincare brand – Premae Skincare.

From humble beginnings and a disadvantaged childhood in Islington Care, Clare propelled forward with her passion for ancient medicine and love of beauty to inspire change and acceptance of aspirational Vegan and Allergy-free lifestyle choices in the mainstream market."

Nicola Graham

"Reuben sadly passed away after a short battle with a cancerous brain tumour. The support that his family received during this time inspired them to launch a charity in his name. Reuben's Mummy is the co-founder of Reuben's Retreat and says the founder is Reuben himself. Reuben's Retreat will be a home from home for families to have breaks with their children who are suffering from a life limiting/threatening condition.

Reuben's Retreat will also serve as a bereavement counselling support centre for parents and siblings that lose a child. Reuben's Retreat will support families from all across the UK and has already embarked on offering support via a short breaks programme and counselling service. The charity launched a campaign to hit £1 million in 23 months, Reuben's age when he moved to heaven.

The charity hit this target in 23 months and have now bought the retreat. The plan now is to generate sufficient funds to renovate this 21 bedroom Victorian home set in parkland in the peak district. A place to "Relax Recharge Remember & Rebuild"

Balvinder Kaur Sandhu

"Bal has been a practicing Diabetes specialist Dietician for 17 years, she has actively worked to make healthcare more accessible to BME groups. Bal has developed and implemented a number of successful health programmes designed to improve accessibility.

This work has been recognised in Parliament as an example of best practice. Bal is well known in the Sikh Community for her charitable efforts and her role as General Secretary of Khalsa Aid a UK based humanitarian aid charity. Bal coordinated the charities UK flood relief in February 2014.

Bal is also involved with fundraising efforts for charitable causes such as Cancer research, whilst also organising national fundraising events for Khalsa Aid and coordinating relief missions carried out by Khalsa Aid."

Dr Eva Sorensen

"Dr Eva Sorensen is a Reader in Chemical Engineering at UCL and is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Scientist and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

She divides her time between teaching and research within the wonders of chemical engineering in areas as diverse as biopharmaceuticals, water treatment, consumer goods and refineries. She is an ExxonMobil Teaching Fellow and won the Faculty of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award in 2002.

She has been a primary and secondary school governor for nearly a decade and is passionate about supporting each girl to achieve to her highest potential."

Michelle Wall

"Michelle was told that her unborn baby had severe Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus and was offered a termination as the baby was not expected to live. Noah was born and after multiple operations was allowed home, soon after birth it was discovered Noah had a destructive cyst in his head & had been left with just 2% of his brain.

Since Noah’s diagnosis Michelle has been raising money to help with Noah’s care and development and has campaigned tirelessly to make people aware of the importance of taking Folic Acid before getting pregnant which can reduce Spina Bifida by 72%."

Millie Wastie

"Milly Wastie - Quoted by Radio 4′s women’s hour as a progressive young woman in Agriculture and Farmers Weekly 2013 Farming Champion finalist, Milly Wastie (who is not from a farming background) is passionate about the promotion of British Agriculture and the diversity in career opportunities available.

Former NFYFC Chairman and road safety advocate, R.A.B.I. East Midlands’s regional manager, small food producer, farmers wife in training and country loving sweetheart.

Milly enjoys her advocacy work, championing her causes within the local, regional and national media as well as campaigning within government, ensuring she really does make a difference. Motivational speaker to young people and friend to all."

Jacqui Beltrao

Eamonn Holmes presented an award to his good friend and colleague

Jaqui Beltrao after giving an incredibly emotional, heart-felt speech. Aknowledging Jacqui's many acheivements as a presenter and mother, as well as her strength and bravery during her recent battle against breast cancer.

Lifetime Achievement

Amanda Jones

"Amanda Jones lost her daughter, Becs, to breast cancer in 2003 and her personal tragedy has motivated her to join Breakthrough in the fight against the disease to ensure other families do not have to go through what hers has.

“My youngest daughter Rebecca was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 and, while she met the enormous challenge head on, her brave battle ended 11 months later.

“In that brief, terrible time, she showed us all how to live courageously, positively, humorously and uncomplainingly. Her amazing bravery helped us to survive those months with her and all her attributes have been the spur to my determination to keep her memory alive, to celebrate her life and the joy she brought us and to help future generations live in a world freed from this terrible disease.

"Becs is an integral part of everything I am privileged to do for Breakthrough and I am so proud to speak of her and of the charity anywhere and at any time, in order to further the huge progress which Breakthrough is achieving in its vital research."

Amanda joined the Breakthrough family in 2003 by signing up to be a £1,000 Challenger. Since then she has continued to support Breakthrough in every way she can and believes wholeheartedly that she will help us achieve a future where women will no longer die from breast cancer.

Since then, Amanda has raised an amazing £250,000 for Breakthrough’s vital work. She has also campaigned at 10 Downing Street and is a Participant Representative of the Breakthrough Generations Study.

Amanda’s dedication gives the Breakthrough family a wonderful role model to aspire to. She says: "One Breakthrough Breast Cancer supporter can help to change the future. So just imagine what thousands of supporters can do.”

#awards #inspirationawardsforwomen #breakthroughgreatcancer #lifechange #inspiration #love #women