Shortlist for Fundraising Charity of the Year (Small)
OurJay Foundation
OurJay Foundation is committed to purchasing and providing accessible defibrillators across communities.
The foundation has raised sufficient funds to provide over 220 accessible defibrillators across various locations in England and Ireland. We also continue to support grassroots sports clubs by supplying pitch-side defibrillators for both adults and children. Additionally, OurJay collaborates with Snap Fitness Gyms across the UK, which now have 58 defibrillators as a result of this campaign.
13 lives have been saved with OurJay Defibrillators, in the last 2 years, showing us that there is a need for accessible defibrillators across communities.
OurJay Foundation is determined to raise awareness of the need for Accessible Defibrillators, alongside CPR, to combat the high number of deaths from out of hospital cardiac arrests in the community.
The judges said: "What impressed the judges was the impact this small charity had. Their impact and delivery will save lives, and they should be immensely proud of what they’ve achieved. It was clear to the judges that everyone involved in this amazing charity are in it for the long haul and will continue to achieve amazing things."
Purple Heart Wishes
Founded in memory of Lyndsey Roughton, the charity grants life-enhancing wishes to adults aged 18–55 facing terminal illnesses. Born from loss and guided by compassion, the charity seeks to create moments of happiness during life’s darkest chapters—allowing individuals to experience something extraordinary when they need it most.
Purple Heart Wishes revolutionised its approach to fundraising by introducing a performance-based, volunteer-led kiosk model that breaks away from traditional methods.
Volunteers operate kiosks at events, earning a share of profits directly linked to their service quality and teamwork. This innovative system provides a consistent, sustainable income stream, allowing Purple Heart Wishes to grant far more wishes than previously possible. It also empowers volunteers, builds community engagement, and enhances the charity’s reputation as a forward-thinking, impactful organisation.
This story is about more than just fundraising success—it’s a testament to resilience, legacy, and the unwavering belief that, with creativity and dedication, even a small charity can make a profound difference.
The judges said: "This was a great demonstration of innovation and utilising volunteers to save costs but also increasing income. They clearly defined their fundraising objectives and were clear about what services they deliver as a result. The overall strategy and vision was impressive and one which spoke of the desire to grow and achieve more."
YOH ltd
Our work was driven by a need to address tensions in our community following regeneration, which brought higher-income residents and displaced long-standing, lower-income families. This shift led to increased anti-social behavior and further divided the community.
In response, we developed a model focused on community cohesion, bringing together children from affluent and underrepresented backgrounds to engage in shared experiences and foster mutual understanding. YOH has successfully engaged 112 children from affluent and underrepresented communities, fostering empathy and understanding through cross-cultural debates, excursions, and role-play activities.
These initiatives have promoted community cohesion and reduced conflict, with an increase in donations from 0.4% to 14%, raising £28,000, half of which was match-funded by local businesses. This growth enabled us to engage families and businesses, ensuring long-term sustainability. By addressing issues created by gentrification and polarisation, we’ve created a model that bridges the wealth gap within communities, offering a scalable, self-sustaining solution that promotes unity and a more inclusive future.
The judges said: "The time and effort made in pulling together a stakeholder approach to their work impressed the judges. Their understanding that the collaborative approach can often achieve far more than ploughing ahead independently has clearly made a difference. The time and importance given to future sustainability was something which stood out."