FINALIST
Penny Hardy
Raised +£18,000 on JustGiving for UNICEF UK
Penny’s created Peace by Piece, and invites donors to help name her sculpture collection by submitting a title or phrase with their donation.
Penny’s story
With a background in art and scientific illustration, Penny Hardy’s a self-taught sculptor, specialising in detailed sculptures using discarded metal.
Seeing the world’s conflicts and health crises over the last few years inspired Penny to make a sculpture that expresses the desperate worldwide need to care and protect our planet.
By using discarded metal pieces, I hope to re-use that energy for a different purpose and exchange their function to create a new entity.
- Penny Hardy
Rather than sit on the sidelines, Penny created Peace by Piece: a campaign that invites supporters to donate what they can. Donors are then encouraged to submit a title or phrase that may be chosen as one of three to become a physical part of the sculpture, making it complete.
Penny’s campaign’s so far raised more than £18,000 for UNICEF UK and continues to inspire people around the world.
More about Penny
MASTERFUL METAL
Penny has years of experience in art and design, and now transforms metal into detailed sculptures to raise money for charity.
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Penny engages and inspires donors with a creative incentive: contributing phrases that may become part of her sculptures.
DRIVEN BY COMPASSION
Penny’s driven by the effects of climate change and global conflict, aiming to raise a total of £100,000 for UNICEF UK.
PEACE BY PIECE
Penny’s piece will be considered complete when its received its winning title or phrase.
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FINALIST
Sally Smart
Raised £32,000 for Awyr Last Goggled Cymru – Blue Sky North Wales
Sally launched the Breast Friends 2024 Calendar: a naked calendar featuring ladies who have all had breast cancer diagnoses (including herself).
Sally’s story
In 2021, wedding photographer Sally lost her mum to cancer. Just three days after her funeral, Sally found a lump whilst in the shower, and was soon diagnosed with two independent instances of invasive ductal carcinoma.
What followed was 12 sessions of chemotherapy, 18 sessions of immunotherapy and bone infusions, and currently 10 years of hormone therapy.
During treatment I cried, slept, ate, drank way too many hot chocolates, laughed, chatted, laughed even more and made lifelong friends.
- Sally Smart
And those friends, all brave ladies who have had breast cancer diagnoses, became her Breast Friends. Using social media, this support network grew even bigger, leading to multiple of Sally’s signature naked calendar photography projects.
Since then, despite her physical health and photography business taking a hit, Sally’s creative efforts have raised over £32,000 in total, for the unit that saved her life.
More about Sally
BREAST FRIENDS
Sally built a tight-knit community of “Breast Friends” from her treatment journey to raise money on her Fundraising Page.
CREATIVE OUTREACH
Sally used social media to amplify her cause and connect with other breast cancer survivors.
TURNING HEADS
Sally’s naked calendar photography stood out and turned heads, highlighting the strength of breast cancer survivors.
STRONG STORYTELLING
Through her photography and personal storytelling, Sally created an unforgettable experience for her Breast Friends and supporters.
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WINNER
Emma Webb
Raised +£59,000 on JustGiving for Papyrus & Riders Mind
Emma walked 158 miles from Wales to London pulling a life-size resin horse statue in memory of her daughter Brodie.
Emma’s story
Emma’s 16-year-old daughter Brodie was a talented show jumper, who loved and cared for horses (especially her own, Archie). In 2020, Emma’s world changed completely when Brodie took her own life.
My world fell apart completely. Brodie and I were as close as a mother and daughter could possibly be.
- Emma Webb
In 2023, Emma completed a massive challenge, a 15-day, 158-mile trek from Chepstow, a small town in Wales, to the UK’s capital city, London. In memory of Brodie and to represent her daughter’s love of horses, Emma pulled a lifesize, 80kg, resin horse statue the entire way. Emma took on this immense challenge to raise money for two mental health charities, Riders Minds and Papyrus.
Her efforts raised over £59,500 for the two charities and raised vital awareness of mental health. As she crossed the finish line on what would have been Brodie’s 20th birthday, she hugged her own mother, knowing she’d made them both proud.
Emma was celebrated by thousands of supporters, a military reception, and even a surprise visit from Prince William too.
More about Emma
159 MILES WALKED
Emma walked 159 miles (257km) over 15 days, all while pulling her 80kg horse statue Miles.
ELITE RECEPTION
Emma was celebrated and gained the attention of thousands of supporters, fundraisers, military personnel, and even Prince William.
WIN-WIN
Emma linked two JustGiving pages (one for each charity she fundraised for) as a Team Page. This let donors choose which one they wanted to support.
SOCIAL SHARING
To help people follow her journey and share her mission, Emma started the hashtag #DoItForBrodie.
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