Amazing Alba: 9-year-old girl with ‘heart of gold’ in the final for this year’s JustGiving Awards

A nine-year old adventurer living in Pontefract has been named as a finalist in this year’s Young Fundraiser of the Year category for the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising almost £25,000 for charity. 

Alba Stogden, who was described by those who nominated her as a young girl with a ‘heart of gold’ started running community projects age five, before fundraising for the Samaritans age six and then for Mind’s local services across the country, age 8, by walking hundreds of miles. 

To date, Alba has completed 16 fundraising challenges through JustGiving and hopes that by doing so she’ll be able to help change the way people see and talk about mental health, something that from a very young age she was very aware of.  

From just three months old, Alba visited her daddy, in psychiatric hospitals. They did bedtimes via facetime, supervised visits and Christmas in family rooms on the wards of big hospitals. Her daddy has suffered with his mental health from a young age and was sectioned for the first time at just 20 years old.  

Speaking about being shortlisted Alba said: “People like my daddy are different from everybody else and they need help. It’s very sad because not everybody is ok. Lots of people suffer with their mental health. I am really happy about being shortlisted in the awards. It will be another adventure.”  

Sophie Stogden, Alba’s mum commented:“Alba chose Mind’s local services because she wants to help people who are suffering with their mental health before it becomes too late. Alba actively researches the charity she’s considering and even goes to visit them before making her decision to fundraise for them.  

“She has chats and plays pool with people there so has a clear understanding of what impact the money she raises will have.  She and I both believe that had her dad had support locally and early on he may not have become so acutely unwell.”   

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.”