We are delighted to announce that Rockinghorse as been recognised as Highly Commended in the Medium Charity of the Year category at The Third Sector Awards.
These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations operating in the third sector, or non-profit making organisations, recognising their tireless efforts and transformative impact.
At the heart of the awards lies a profound belief in the power of collective action and the immense value that the third sector brings to our communities.
Whether it’s a dedicated volunteer, an innovative social enterprise, or a visionary charity leader, the awards offer a chance to celebrate the amazing impact that charities, voluntary and community groups can have in their local communities.
The award ceremony took place on Friday 22 September, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, and was hosted by stand-up comedian Maisie Adam. Rockinghorse Chief Executive Donna Holland and their Chair of Trustees, Dr Oli Rahman, attended the event as representatives and met fellow finalists and other influential figures within the sector.
Our entry for this category outlined our achievements within the last year, which include raising over £780,000 in annual fundraising, putting us right back to where we were pre-pandemic.
We also saw the welcome return of our fundraising events, including the Drop 360 from the i360 on Brighton seafront, quiz night, golf day, and our annual Rockinghorse Ball. The Emerald Ball in March 2022 was our most successful event of the whole year, raising £60,000 – the most we had ever raised at this annual event!
We have also supported more than 380,000 children in the past year, recruited 35 champions across the NHS, and helped 725 premature babies. We have supported 19 different healthcare settings across Sussex, expanding our reach year on year and supported 60 projects including toys, life-saving equipment, child-friendly spaces, ground-breaking research, activities, and additional staff.
Donna said: “The Rockinghorse team work incredible hard every year, not for recognition or reward, but to make sure that the children and young people in our community get the support and care that they really need.
“However, we couldn’t be happier to be recognised as Highly Commended for such a prestigious national award. If nothing else, it’s wonderful that the Rockinghorse name will be showcased along with so many other well-deserving organisations.”
The whole team are incredibly proud to have received this recognition and confirms our vision of creating a world where children are healthy and happy.
To find out more about these awards, click here.
