The hospital charity beat off stiff competition from the likes of Birmingham Hippodrome and Chelmsley Wood-based social enterprise Gro Organic to win the prestigious award presented at the annual awards ceremony on Wednesday 18 October, at The International Convention Centre, Birmingham.

The awards, held in front of more than 600 guests, celebrate business excellence and achievement across 13 different categories. The Not for Profit Organisation Award recognised the extraordinary contribution that the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity has made to the community it serves.

Over the last year, the team has led high profile fundraising campaigns including the successful Star Appeal which raised £3.65 million for a new children’s rare diseases centre; the opening of Magnolia House, a pioneering bereavement facility funded entirely by charitable donations; and the much loved Big Sleuth art-trail (cover picture) which saw over 100 stunningly decorated giant bear sculptures take to the streets of Birmingham and its surrounding areas this summer. The bears recently raised well over a quarter of million pounds for the children’s hospital.

Commenting on the win, Director of Fundraising, Louise McCathie said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been named ‘Best Not for Profit’ by the Birmingham Post Business Awards. To win for a second year is a tremendous honour and a huge testament to the work of our team and the fantastic support we receive from businesses, local communities and individuals.”

“Thank you to everyone who has helped us to do more for the children and families of young people who need to use the services our hospital provides.”

In addition to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s win, one of their key corporate partners, Wesleyan, took home the Contribution to the Community Award’in recognition of their outstanding support for Magnolia House, a new support centre offering palliative and bereavement care which recently opened at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Wesleyan raised £750,000 of the £1 million required to build the ground-breaking facility which provides a comfortable safe space away from the hospital wards, for families dealing with difficult or upsetting news.