The winners of the 2010 SMK Campaigner Awards were announced yesterday at a special ceremony hosted by Channel 4 newscaster Jon Snow at St Martin-in-the-Fields off Trafalgar Square. The awards recognise the outstanding contribution that a new generation of campaigners are making towards achieving social, environmental and economic justice both in the UK and abroad. Alice Farr from the Woodland Trust wins the Environment Award supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK), the UK’s only charity dedicated to connecting, informing and supporting campaigners, announced the winners of its 2010 Awards at a special ceremony at St Martin’s Hall, off Trafalgar Square, yesterday afternoon.

The ceremony was hosted by Channel 4 Newscaster and Patron of SMK, Jon Snow, at 1pm (Tuesday 21st September). Award presenters included Tony Juniper, one of the most influential environmental campaigners of the past 30 years, Lord Herman Ouseley and broadcaster Anna Raeburn.

SMK have searched communities across the UK and abroad for individuals who are campaigning on issues that matter, locally and globally.

SMK’s award winners come from diverse backgrounds and are working on a wide range of issues:

Linda Butcher, Chief Executive of SMK said:

“Many people say they feel jaded about democracy, in terms of what they see as the compromises that take place in Government, and are concerned at wider apathy across society. Our award winners, like so many other campaigners out there, are tenacious, positive and creative individuals that prove that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. They demonstrate that while there are wrongs, abuses, injustices and inequalities, there are also individuals and communities working tirelessly to do something about them. We will be working hard with our award winners over the next year to build on their commitment and help them to achieve great things”

Details of award winners

Consumer Action Award
Pete Davis
‘Part Time Carnivore’
By launching an innovative website that encourages and supports people to eat less meat, Pete is promoting environmental protection and healthier life styles. Pete uses his creativity and statistics to show members of his website the effects of their eating habits on the environment. His goal is to promote a healthier world, starting with people’s personal eating preferences and behaviours.
Sponsored by Which?

Environment Award
Alice Farr
‘WoodWatch’ - Woodland Trust
Alice is working with WoodWatch to give local communities a voice to take action for woods and trees under threat. She empowers people to take action using formal planning systems and local democracy, using the powers available at a grass roots level. She is responsible for identifying potential threats and establishing formal objections. By providing advice on the impact of development on woods and trees to local authorities, Alice is actively encouraging change.
Sponsored by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

International Campaigner Award
Benard Wakoli
‘Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Advocacy’ - Kenya
Benard is campaigning to raise awareness about the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the Mumias community in western Kenya. Benard started his campaign in 2008, having witnessed the suffering experienced by young people who were perceived to be gay. Working with a wide range of individuals, groups and grassroots organisations, Benard highlights the systematic human rights violations the LGBT community faces. He wants to see a society that respects human rights and does not discriminate against LGBT people.
Sponsored by Sheila McKechnie Foundation

Local Campaigner Award
Lara Fashola
‘Phone Mast Removal’
Lara is working with a local parents group to campaign for the removal of a phone mast just yards away from her children’s school. By lobbying the local council and the phone company, Lara is trying to create a healthier and cleaner environment for students. Lara is attending parent meetings, council meetings, taking part in demonstrations and liaising with local media. Lara is currently campaigning at a local scale but is looking to lobby on the issue nationally.
Sponsored by Communities and Local Government

London Social Justice Award
Noori Bibi
‘Young Muslim Voices’
Noori is working to break barriers between communities and challenge negative perceptions about young Muslims, women and refugees. She is managing and developing young leaders to bridge the gap between silent voices and decision-makers. Noori has planned anti-racism festivals, run campaigns on ‘girl power’ and organised events about knife crime. Young Muslim Voices has been running for two years and has engaged thousands of young people, while impacting on services and policies in Islington.
Sponsored by Trust for London

Shout Out! (for school students)
Lia Temple, Toni Alqe, Jattu Kallon, Shauntae Reeder, Madeline Agyeman-Badu
‘Bin It Right’ - La Sainte Union School, Camden
These students are working to create awareness of recycling options in their school and beyond. By increasing the amount of bins around school and offering more recycling options, they are trying to inspire their peers and create a better learning environment. Their goal is to improve the environment while teaching other young people the importance of recycling.
Sponsored by City Bridge Trust

Social Inclusion Award
Ilena Day
‘Look Ok...Feel Crap?’ - Depression Alliance Scotland
Ilena is working with young people to provide support for those struggling with depression in Scotland. By launching a website to offer resources and emotional health courses, Ilena is creating awareness about depression so that people don’t feel alone. Her goal is for young adults to connect with the appropriate health organisations and seek support early on. Ilena is working to modernise current mental health messages in order to accurately support young adults with depression.
Sponsored by Shelter

Transport Award
Claire Prospert
‘Newcastle Cycling Campaign’
Claire would like to establish a cycling campaign for Newcastle with a focus on bike commuting. She wants to coordinate the efforts of residents and local organisations involved in cycling and enable employers to become cyclist-friendly. Claire wants to lobby the local government to create better provisions for cycling, relating to bike security, improving bike infrastructure and increasing awareness of cycling among the community.
Sponsored by Simon Norton

FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES CONTACT HARMIT KAMBO, SMK COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: 07780 994 204/ harmit.kambo@smk.org.uk

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Notes to Editors

About SMK

1. SMK is a charity with a unique remit – to connect, inform and support campaigners.

2. SMK was set up in 2005 to commemorate Dame Sheila McKechnie, a dedicated and effective campaigner, who spent much of her life championing change. Sheila (Shelter, Which?/Consumers' Association) empowered individuals to recognise and assert their rights, and made governments and businesses understand, implement and respond to the issues she campaigned on.

3. SMK provides support for campaigners in pursuit of charitable objectives.

About the SMK Awards programme

1. The fifth year of the Awards are sponsored by a range of organisations including: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; City Bridge Trust; Communities and Local Government; Simon Norton; Shelter; Trust for London; Which?; and a range of individual donations.

2. Our awards provide winners with a bespoke package of support specific to their campaign issue. This includes:

   • one-to-one coaching sessions
   • advice on parliamentary and media tactics
   • residential training with other winners
   • shadowing opportunities
   • mentoring from senior campaigners with a track record in the winner’s policy area

3. The award is for people at the early stages of campaigning whether it be in a national pressure group or campaigning charity, as well as people who are campaigning on a voluntary basis and are relatively new to campaigning as an activity.