Fundraiser of the Year, Stephanie Awbery, sponsor Cherubs Floral Design
A woman’s mission to launch a motor show became a lifeline for multiple local charities, says her nominator for the Fundraiser of the Year award.
For nearly 20 years Stephanie Awbery has run the Berkshire Motor Show, almost single-handedly in the past, they said.
In that time she has raised money for the NHS, Flint House Police Rehabilitation service, Reading homeless charity Launchpad, cancer research, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the MS Society, a children’s lung disease charity, Berkshire Women’s Aid and The Fire Fighters Charity among others.
It started when Stephanie’s mother was disabled and bedridden. When she died, Stephanie vowed to give something back to the community for helping them, says the nomination.
A visit to Beaulieu National Motor Museum sparked an idea for a motor show and Stephanie got to work.
She found a farmer’s field and day and night she was on the computer and phoning around different places and businesses asking if they would come along, said the denominator.
The event was then called the Berkshire 4×4 Show, they added, but Red Dragon Monster Truck Rides came along and the event took off.
Since then, overcoming many obstacles, it has moved to Prospect Park and will be held on Sunday, July 7, this year with the Teenage Cancer Trust benefiting, said Stephanie’s nominator. In addition Stephanie helps run a charity Christmas craft fayre too.
“We are so proud of her and what she has done for others,” said the nominator.
“The event all starts with nothing and at the end of the day there is funds for the charity.”
Stephanie has also been nominated for Putting Reading on the Map, sponsored by Jacobs the Jewellers and The Purple Turtle, and Community Event of the Year, sponsor Kingdom Rooms.
The Fundraiser of the Year award is sponsored by Cherubs Floral Design and celebrates an individual or organisation that has shown outstanding skills or dedication to creative and imaginative fundraising in Reading.
Put forward your choice for top fundraiser at porawards.co.uk
