Charity Aspires to success at awards
JON MACPHERSON
STAFF and volunteers at a Hyndburn youth charity are celebrating after walking away with three trophies at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Ynot Aspire received the titles of Volunteer Manager of the Year and Rising Star in the Small Charity Big Impact Award at the North West Charity Awards.
The charity, based at Hyndburn Community and Voluntary Resource Centre in Accrington, supports young people through mentoring, promoting positive mental health and reducing the risk of homelessness.
Paula Swainston, who won the Volunteer Manager of the Year Award, said “I’m thrilled to win this award, it was a huge surprise.
“I love working with our volunteers and seeing their confidence grow as they offer help and support to young people through our mentoring service”.
Sharon Burch, chief officer at Ynot Aspire, received the Rising Star in the Small Charity Big Impact Award.
She said: “This is a fabulous result for our charity and we’re thrilled to have received this recognition.
“I think our success lies in involving young people in all aspects of the charity to ensure we’re meeting their needs and the great partnership work that we have in Hyndburn.
“We’re lucky to have amazing staff like Paula, dedicated and passionate volunteers and the support of people like Paul to help us raise vital funds.”
Paul Breaks, from Breaks Wealth Management, also received the Highly Commended Award for his outstanding support of the charity since becoming involved with them in 2018.
Earlier this year the dadof-two ran the Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara desert - a feat widely regarded as the “toughest foot race on earth” - and has raised more than £11,000 for Ynot Aspire.
Paul said: “I can’t think of anything worth supporting more than Ynot Aspire.
“They need around £100,000 a year and while they have funding for a few more years, they need support.”