Ceremony to go ahead – and everyone’s invited
In a feat of improvisation, the 2020 SEIB Insurance Brokers Giving Awards are going ahead online.
More than £50,000 is being presented to good causes through SEIB’s social media channels, giving ten shortlisted charities their moment in the spotlight.
The virtual awards started on Monday (30 March) on the company’s Facebook page. Two prizes will be presented each day until 3 April, one at 1.00pm and another at 1.30pm. Prize presentations will be accompanied by pre-recorded video footage about each charity.
“As soon as we realised it was not going to be possible to hold our charity awards in London as planned on the 20 March [due to the coronavirus outbreak], we set about finding a way in which we could truly celebrate the amazing work undertaken by each of our ten shortlisted charities,” said Nicolina MacKenzie, SEIB marketing manager.
Grants presented to charities winning SEIB Giving Awards have traditionally been for capital investment projects. However, SEIB says it understands how difficult it will be for charities to operate this year, so the money may be used towards running costs.
To watch – and take part in – the SEIB Virtual Giving Awards visit www.facebook.com/seibltd.
The ten finalist charities and their projects for 2020 are:
Bransby Horses – Keeping horses safe. Following devastating flooding, Bransby needs to adjust by moving 59 horses to a new site. The SEIB grant would help purchase an all-terrain-vehicle and a mobile stable unit for the new site.
Doris Banham Dog Rescue – Thermal kennels to give pound dogs their last chance to live. The SEIB grant would finance the build of a block of 10 thermal kennels to give a final chance for dogs due for euthanasia who have been abandoned at council pounds or brought in to be put to sleep at veterinary surgeries.
Gaddesden Place RDA – Mechanical horse for physical and psychological therapy. The purchase of the mechanical horse with the SEIB grant money would increase the number of riders participating in a beneficial RDA activity without needing more ponies or grazing.
Hope Pastures – A centre of excellence for laminitis prevention and recovery. The SEIB grant would be used to create a dedicated unit to showcase best practice for laminitis in a practical way and pass on expertise to others.
Hope Rescue – Sensory garden project. The garden is planned to help rescue dogs and volunteers to get out and play and interact with one another. The SEIB grant would be used to purchase fencing for the garden.
Once Upon A Smile – Facilities to provide emotional support to bereaved families. The SEIB grant would be used for the charity’s new Sidley House. It would finance Lego therapy, new flooring, a sound proof room and to update the toilet facilities.
Redwings – Purpose built donkey barn. The existing donkey barn at Redwings is 30 years old and set for demolition. The SEIB Grant would be used for a new donkey facility to support the health and welfare needs of the donkeys.
South Essex Wildlife Hospital – Wildlife rehabilitation unit. The hospital sees around 10,000 animals each year and aims to provide a specialist facility for an increasing number of sick, orphaned and injured wildlife.
The Flicka Foundation – Vital donkey transport vehicle. The charity’s current vehicle has high mileage, is unreliable and costly to repair. The SEIB grant would be used to purchase a second-hand, custom converted horse lorry.
The Horse Trust – Multi use large animal rescue education unit. The charity currently delivers award-winning training for emergency responders, providing them with the skills needed to deal with horses during frightening and life-threatening situations. The new unit would allow for courses to be delivered across the country.
SEIB insures many charities and not-for-profit organisations. The independent broker is owned by a charity called the Allchurches Trust Limited and profits are used for good causes.
Find out more about this year’s finalists and their projects at www.seib.co.uk/giving
Pictured is rescue horse Frodo and the team at World Horse Welfare celebrating winning the 2019 SEIB Giving Awards.
