Over the years, Laura has often been the sole member of the fundraising team and in that time has secured several corporate partnerships and HUGE donations from a range of supporters. Laura champions Care Experience in a unique and powerful way that is relatable to many of us and empowers others to do the same. 

 

Laura has also been a great friend to me, from the start of my employment at Who Cares? last year, I have had personal issues and every single time, Laura has been there to shepherd me in the right direction and provided opportunities for me that has changed my life and viewpoint. She changes lives daily and shares this characteristic with our members, supporters, and donors. 

 

Laura transforms lives, attitudes and our own organisational activity.  A lot of our work is powered by the behind the scenes work that she does, and I believe we should appreciate and recognise the massive amount of work and dedication that goes into the things we do. 

 

She is a true champion for Care Experienced people, and I am very grateful to know and work alongside someone as passionate and fabulous as Laura. 

 

Aimee was a great member of the team and contributed to other areas of work across her time with us. She is also currently continuing to be involved working with us to develop an animation about the Home and Belonging evaluation. She is helping to ensure this is sensitive and tells a positive story. Aimee has been a pleasure to work with and her commitment to improving the lives of care experienced people is so clear. 

Harley lives in a foster placement along with two other young people from different families.  They are all in a long term placement.

The foster carers also offer respite care to a disabled boy, Ian, who often stays with them for weekends or longer if necessary.  Harley has established a loving relationship with Ian and spends time involving Ian in activities such as baking etc and is very patient with him and encourages him to help out.  It is lovely to see the bond between them both.

Harley, off his own back, wrote to the Make a Wish charity and asked if they could make Ian's dream of going to Thomas the Tank land a reality.  They responded with an invitation for Ian, Harley and the family to go together for a weekend.  This visit was all recorded with lots of photographs which were made into a book for Ian with sentences below each picture.  Ian loves to show everyone the book and talk about the trip.  It is something he will never forget.

This is a true act of kindness from a boy who has himself started life with lots of trauma and yet he puts others first and for that reason I think he should be celebrated.

 

She really deserves the award and we are soo proud of her!! 

From Kareen and Lauren