The 2023 Finalists
Meet the 24 finalists of the 2023 GoCardless JustGiving Awards…
Creative Fundraiser Of The Year
Jule Harries
Former research scientist, Jule traded lab coats for a weird and wonderful array of hats as part of her 100 Hat Challenge.
She took on 100 open water swims, wearing a different hat each time. Her collection captivated hearts and minds, while raising over £3,000 for two charities close to her heart – Alzheimer’s Research UK and Surrey Young Carers.
Major Mick Stanley
81‑year-old, retired Army Major Mick is a maverick on a mission!
Taking a slightly unconventional route, he built his own ‘Tin-tanic’ boat out of corrugated iron, curtain hooks and hosepipe and rowed an oar-inspiring 125 miles.
This quirky vessel not only turned heads but also captured hearts, raising over £10,000 for the Children on the Edge.
Lois Wolffe
Everything changed when Lois’ mum was diagnosed with dementia. But when she came across an old fisherman’s smock that her Mum had gifted to her, she set out stitching precious memories onto it as a loving tribute to her life.
Lois has raised awareness and over £600 for Alzheimer Scotland with her blog – Taking Smock of the Situation.
Community Hero
Sarah McPherson
Armed with her six adorable mini donkeys, Sarah is on a mission to light up lives in Norfolk and Suffolk.
After losing her parents to dementia, she saw first-hand just how magical mood-boosting miniature donkey visits could be to people in care homes, hospitals, and schools.
With every visit, Sarah and her team of animal-loving volunteers continue to fill people’s lives with joy.
Ryan Gardiner
In 2021, student and football lover, Luke died after being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.
A year later, his teacher and football coach, Mr Gardiner came up with an idea for a community-based organisation to help educate young people in East Yorkshire about cancer and teach them to take care of each other.
This impressive initiative, ‘A Shining Light’ has raised over £7,000 in memory of Luke – their very own shining light.
Krista Sharp
There are over 700,000 young carers living in the UK. Krista quit her job as a teacher to help run a charity that supports people just like them. Her unwavering dedication to MYTIME Young Carers is helping pave a brighter future for young carers everywhere.
When Krista heard a 5-year-old say they couldn’t play outside in case their mummy has a fit, or a young adult carer say they sometimes must steal food to make sure their family can eat, she was in awe of their selflessness.
Young Fundraiser Of The Year
Alba Stogden
Meet Alba, a 9‑year‑old adventurer with a heart of gold. She set off on an epic fundraising adventure, walking the entire coastline of England covering thousands of miles. Why? Because she knows first‑hand the impact of mental illness on loved ones, including her own Dad.
Determined to make a difference, Alba has raised money for several mental health charities, drumming up over £18,500 so far.
Harry Smith
Harry’s sister, Emily was the ‘best sister he could ever ask for’. When she died from an incurable brain tumour, he turned his grief into a powerful force for good.
His challenge? Swimming a mile, climbing England’s highest mountain and cycling home from Addenbrooke’s Hospital – the journey home that his sister was never able to make.
He’s raised over £11,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Seren Price
5-year-old, Seren is the youngest person to climb the highest mountains of Wales, England and Scotland in under 48 hours.
Battling snowfall, high winds, poor visibility and temperatures below -18c, her bravery is a reminder that age is no barrier when it comes to making a difference in the world.
She raised over £7,000 to thank Birmingham Children’s Hospital, who provided special care when she was a baby.
Endurance Fundraiser Of The Year
Gary McKee
If you look up the word “stamina” you might just find a picture of Gary McKee.
Gary ran a marathon every single day last year, often before starting a full day of work. His passion, spirit, and impact went far beyond the miles he ran… and the 20 pairs of trainers he went through.
Gary has raised well over £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Lis Van Lynden
Last year, Lis geared up for a ride of a lifetime. Unsupported and solo, she defied all odds, cycling 5,000 miles around Great Britain’s stunning coastline.
Diagnosed with MS in 2013 after losing feeling down her right side, Lis decided to take on a challenge that would push herself to the limits in the name of a good cause.
She pedalled for a brighter future in MS research, raising over £9,500 for MS Trust.
Andrew Osborne
Andrew completed a solo row across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean. A journey that spanned 3,000 miles and 90 days.
From the Canaries to the Caribbean, he faced extreme weather, waves, and solitude. All the while, carrying memories of his daughter, Amy, who died in her sleep.
1.5 million oar strokes later, Andrew and his 20-foot rowboat arrived in Antigua, raising over £156,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young and making Amy proud.
Celebrity Fundraiser Of The Year
Bill Bailey
Comedian, musician and Strictly legend, Bill Bailey set out to prove that true friendship knows no bounds when he embarked on an epic 100‑mile walk from Cornwall to Devon.
With every gruelling step, he honoured his close friend and comedian, Sean Lock. Bill’s remarkable journey raised over £140,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Marcus Mumford
In the aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, musician, Marcus became a beacon of hope for the community by founding the Grenfell Foundation.
With a 2023 London Marathon medal as testament to his dedication to raising awareness and supporting survivors, his efforts raised over £19,000 and radiated light in the darkest of times.
Adele Roberts
Radio 1 DJ, Adele Roberts became the fastest woman to run the London Marathon with a stoma bag earlier this year. Just months after battling bowel cancer, she crossed the line in an inspiring 3.5 hours.
She raised over £15,000 for the Attitude Magazine Foundation, supporting LGBTQ+ causes and Bowel Cancer UK.
Teen Fundraiser Of The Year
Gabriel Clark
13-year-old carpenter, Gabriel became a viral sensation when his ‘Bowl for Ukraine’ prize draw caught the attention of celebrities like Stephen Fry and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
After raising over £250,000 for Save The Children, he started work on his second creation, the ‘Hope Bowl’, made from three types of wood which represents conflict, food and education.
He’s now raised over £278,000 and serves as a charity ambassador, inspiring other young people to leverage their passions.
Shay O’Grady
12-year-old Shay is no stranger to a Sheffield Wednesday’s football match… or a fundraising challenge. His inspiration? His cousin, Evie-Mae who has a rare chromosome disorder which means she needs round the clock care.
Football fan, Shay has raised over £46,000 to thank Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice for supporting their family. His most recent challenge was a triathlon- swimming, walking and cycling from Sheffield Wednesday to Barnsley FC.
Mariya Javed
13-year-old, Mariya is doing everything she can to keep her brother’s memory alive after he died following a hidden and previously undiagnosed condition called AVM.
Along with her parents and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, she helped to set up ‘Another Star in the Sky’ in his memory.
This year, Mariya completed her seventh Kiltwalk challenge and is campaigning for the inclusion of compulsory bereavement education into the Scottish school curriculum.
Charity Of The Year
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation saw over £2 million raised and 38,000 participants in their 2023 campaign, Doddie Aid.
The charity, who want to see a world free from MND, ran a virtual mass-participation exercise event, split into six districts, with the winning district being the one which covers the furthest distance over the duration of the event.
Oasis Children’s Centre
Oasis Children’s Centre want to make sure no family faces the heartbreaking choice of ‘heat or eat’.
In Elmbridge, child poverty, rental, and house price inflation are at their highest and many are feelings the effects of the cost‑of‑living crisis. But the success of their 2022 Christmas appeal meant that over 100 families could receive a fresh food hamper in time for Christmas Day.
Showerbox
Showerbox are revolutionising hygiene for the street and hidden homeless in London.
By creating free and secure shower spaces, they help empower homeless people to maintain good personal hygiene, build confidence and stop the spread of disease.
For the past five years, they’ve raised over £41,000 to fund “Showerbox Saturdays”, where people leave with a renewed sense of humanity and self-esteem.
Outstanding Commitment
John Adams
An unexpected MND diagnosis left John unable to do his two favourite things: gardening and spending time at the pub!
So instead, he turned his challenge into an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for MND Association.
Through unique activities like his 7-day scooter challenge, John (now known as ‘the MND Warrior’) has raised £17,000 for MND research and along the way, formed a tight-knit community, inspiring others to join the fight.
Anthony Frobisher
Anthony’s wife gave birth to triplets – Milla, Jewel and Louisa in 2006. They were born 16 weeks prematurely. Sadly, Jewel passed away after only 17 days, and Milla was diagnosed with severe spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. In 2016, Milla passed away suddenly from a sepsis infection.
Anthony’s commitment to fundraising in her memory is evident in the £37,000 he’s raised by taking on challenges like cycling 100 miles, then running a marathon in one day. All of this makes him a top fundraiser for Acorns Children’s Hospices and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Richard Benson
Richard’s commitment to fundraising began after his partner, Camille experienced the unimaginable loss of her son, Ethan to suicide. Devastatingly, Camille also took her own life a few months later.
Richard began hosting and participating in fundraising events like festivals, garden parties, charity dart nights and obstacle courses – and he has no plans of stopping there. To date, he’s raised over £6,000 for Papyrus – the suicide prevention charity.