Yorkshire teacher in the final for this year’s JustGiving Awards to celebrate his charity achievements in memory of his pupil.

A teacher from Goole has been named as a finalist in this year’s Community category for the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising more than £30,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Ryan Gardiner, who teaches at Howden Secondary School in East Yorkshire, raised money for the charity, after his pupil Luke lost his battle with osteosarcoma – a type of bone cancer – in 2021.

Ryan set up set up ‘A Shining Light’ charity in Luke’s memory to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust. The charity aims to educate and raise awareness of cancer in young people as well as working with them to improve their overall physical and mental health.

Since last July, Ryan, alongside Luke’s parents Chris and Joanne, sister Cassie and a group of volunteers has organised various fundraising events including a charity football match of schoolteachers versus Luke’s year group team, community table top sales, Christmas markets, summer galas, non-school uniform days, bake sales, sponsored walks and coronation concerts.

After being nominated by members of the public, the 33-year-old was selected as a finalist by a panel of judges which included Radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, Actress Angela Griffin, longstanding fundraiser, famous for wearing a charity shop outfit every day for one year, Caroline Jones and the general manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie.

Ryan, who used to teach Luke and coached him with football said: “When I got the email that said I’d been nominated, and then that I was in the final three, I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself. It was one of those, wow, I think this might be a really big deal kind of moment! I know there’s thousands of people doing amazing things out of the goodness of their own hearts across the country, and I’ve met a lot of them on my own fundraising journey – so I dedicate this nomination to all of those people that are always out there doing things for the betterment of others over themselves.

“Since Luke passed away we’ve been working tirelessly to ensure that we provide him with a fitting legacy to remember his shining spirit.”

After being nominated by members of the public, Alba was selected as a finalist by a panel of judges which included Radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, Actress Angela Griffin, longstanding fundraiser, famous for wearing a charity shop outfit every day for one year, Caroline Jones and the general manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie. 

This is the eleventh year of the JustGiving Awards and the judges agreed that this year’s event will be an incredibly emotional yet truly inspiring evening.  From more than 13,000 nominations, the judges worked hard to shortlist 21 inspiring finalists, three for each of the seven awards categories.  

Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager at JustGiving said: “Our fundraisers and crowdfunders are amazing and whilst they don’t do what they do for praise and recognition, every single person like Alba deserves it. 

“The ceremony is a magical evening but most importantly it’s a moment for us at JustGiving to thank, formally recognise and celebrate the individuals, groups and charities who have done extraordinary things in the interest of others.” 

Members of the public now have the opportunity to vote for the fundraisers they want to see crowned for their efforts via: https://page.justgiving.com/awardsvoting2023 

Seven winners as well as JustGiving’s Charity of the Year will be announced at the ceremony which takes place at London’s Roundhouse on the evening of September 25th. Winners will be presented with their official trophy by well-known faces from the world of celebrities and sport.  

Previous JustGiving Award winners include Max Woosey, who was crowned 2022 Young Fundraiser of the Year for camping outside for hundreds of nights in memory of his neighbour and raising funds for North Devon Hospice.   

Three dads walking were awarded Fundraising Team of the Year for raising significant awareness for suicide prevention and funds for Papyrus and the late Dame Deborah James’ family received a special recognition award after she created wide-scale awareness of Bowel cancer and its symptoms and raised millions of pounds for the Bowelbabe Fund.   

Pat Phelan, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless said: “We’re proud to recognise the finalists and everyone nominated for this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards. We’re also grateful to all of the donors who support them. By combining the energy and enthusiasm of fundraisers like Alba with the generosity of the nation, truly amazing things can happen.”