Scottish woman in the final for this year’s JustGiving Awards after taking ‘smock’ of a sad situation  

Lois Wolffe, 57 from Gatehouse of Fleet, South West Scotland has been named as a finalist in this year’s Creative Fundraiser of the Year category for the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising more than £800 for charity.  

After hearing the diagnosis that her mum had mixed dementia, Lois took up embroidery, an old hobby from her childhood, as part of her own self-care during what was a difficult time. She also wanted to do something to make a difference and support others going through what she, her mum and the rest of her family were experiencing. 

Being a fundraiser for most of her life, Lois decided she’d raise vital funds for Alzheimer Scotland who make sure nobody faces dementia alone.  

“You can harness any activity and turn it into a fundraiser. That’s what I did. I wasn’t doing something particularly challenging, but it told our story, which I soon discovered is a universal story and it touched the hearts of others inspiring them to give to a good cause.  

“I had found an old fisherman’s smock which mum used to wear when sculpting her pottery animals. She’d gifted it to me some time ago and I knew I wanted to embellish it and embroider it with life.  

“Each embroidered element connects to mum in some way. I wasn’t sure that I had the skill to create something so much more beautiful and meaningful than just a smock, but each teeny tiny stitch is so full of love for the remarkable woman who made me, said Lois.” 

After being nominated by members of the public, Lois 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 Lois 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 Lois with the generosity of the nation, truly amazing things can happen.”