Shortlist for Newcomer of the Year
Laura Franklin, The Bone Cancer Research Trust
Laura has demonstrated innovation and creativity, significantly contributing to our charity's success in 2024.
In her first role in the charity sector, Laura has led on several fundraising events and is a vital team member, stewarding the largest London Marathon team the charity has seen.
She brought valuable insights from her work as a volunteer and experience as a patient, allowing her to connect with supporters and tailor fundraising strategies to resonate with them.
Laura's creativity shone through in the creation of the Rowing and Knitting virtual challenges, which raised £78,000 and achieved an impressive ROI of 4.3:1 and £128,000 with over 6,000 group members, respectively, while connecting with families affected by primary bone cancer.
Laura’s ability to manage and energise volunteers and her proactive approach to engaging audiences has expanded our charity's reach. Her positivity, enthusiasm and dedication highlight her potential for a bright future in fundraising.
The judges said: "Laura has made an exceptional contributions to the Bone Cancer Research Trust. She has achieved significant fundraising success by revamping the event and challenge program with innovative ideas including rowing and knitting challenges. Laura leads by example, organizing team challenges and feel-good-factor activities and participating enthusiastically."
Louise Dutton, Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)
Louise joined the CLAPA team in late 2022 and has been instrumental in transforming our community and challenge event fundraising efforts. Starting as a Fundraising Officer in her first professional fundraising role, Louise’s exceptional performance and commitment quickly earned her a well-deserved promotion.
Drawing on her background in customer service, Louise has applied her transferable skills to build meaningful connections with our supporters. She makes every fundraiser feel valued, delivering such a high level of personalised stewardship that many not only excel in their efforts but also return to fundraise for us again.
Louise’s standout achievement has been the complete transformation of our DIY fundraisers programme. She developed a structured process to track and steward these fundraisers, who often work on individual timelines with highly personalised needs. Recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t work, Louise tailored her communication and motivation strategies to ensure each volunteer felt supported and empowered.
The judges said: "The judges recognised Louise for creating exceptional stewardship processes and personalised experiences for people taking part in DIY fundraising. Louise used her initiative and collaborative approach to inspire those around her in achieving shared goals. We celebrate her teamwork, leadership, and promising start to her career."
Calypso Coulton, Edinburgh Food Project
Calypso regularly demonstrates a commitment to excellence, unbounded empathy, strength under pressure, and a positive attitude.
She has a commitment to learning and attends local Chartered Institute of Fundraising events and a local fundraising group and constantly seeks to improve her skills and understanding. She already has a strong grasp of fundraising concepts, strategy, and budgets and is keen to learn more. Her leadership and management of volunteers, and her support of her team-mates show that she has brilliant potential to become a fundraising leader of the future.
From my own personal perspective, as someone who has led whole organisations and fundraising teams, I have seldom met anyone who shows such natural fundraising instincts, and such talent at this stage in their career. She is an absolute dream to manage, a treat to work with, and she blows me away on a regular basis.
The judges said: "Calypso has a creative and innovative approach to engaging people and raising funds and has had significant fundraising success. Her outstanding supporter care strengthens relationships and drives repeat donations. She shows strong leadership and management potential, engaging new communities with the charity."