Success for St Elizabeth Hospice in regional fundraising awards

The St Elizabeth Hospice team are celebrating the success of Corporate and Sponsorship Fundraising Manager, Liz Baldwin, after she was named the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s East Anglian Professional Fundraiser of the Year for 2021.

The news was announced during a virtual awards ceremony on 10^th June, with the award categories having a focus on how charities adapted to the pandemic, while also acknowledging the achievements made by fundraisers and funders from across the board.

Awarded to Liz, the Professional Fundraiser of the Year accolade highlighted the professional fundraiser who, in the view of their peers, had shown consistent excellence and best practice in achieving high quality fundraising through their own efforts and strategy, while also developing new ways of working.

Nominated by her hospice colleagues, Liz was praised for the difference she had made to the team since joining St Elizabeth Hospice only two years ago.

Liz added: “It is incredibly humbling, and a huge surprise, to discover that not only had I been nominated by my colleagues, but then shortlisted and announced as the winner.

“The work the whole hospice does is incredible and my dear father received end-of-life care at home from the amazing nursing team in 2013 which opened my eyes to the importance of St Elizabeth Hospice and its role in the community.

“I was shocked to discover they have to raise 70% of the £12.9 million it takes to keep the services running and available to the local community at no cost. It was these personal experiences which inspired me to join St Elizabeth Hospice in order to use my skillset in service relationship management to help give back to this vital service.

“We are a fundraising team, supported by colleagues throughout the hospice, and I am so happy to accept this award on behalf of the entire team.”

One highlight included her management of her team during the Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction, which took place in October and November 2020, raising £150,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice’s young adult service, Zest.

While the team also praised her inspiring “can-do attitude” and “willingness to go above and beyond to help others”, which played an important role in the success of the hospice fundraising team’s #HereTogether campaign.

A campaign which raised £250,000 for the independent charity, in only six months, to counteract the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic, when restrictions saw many vital hospice revenue streams temporarily closing, in accordance with government Covid-19 guidelines.

Hannah Bloom, Director of Income Generation at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We are delighted that Liz has been recognized by her peers for all the outstanding work she has delivered during an incredibly difficult period for fundraising.

“I am fortunate to work with a superb team, all of whom are extremely dedicated to the hospice, However, Liz, in particular has impressed my colleagues and I, most recently with securing sponsors for the majority of the Big Hoot sculptures that will form part of our art trail in Ipswich in 2022.

“Thank you to the voluntary committee and especially their Chairperson, Gill Jolly, for organising these awards because they shine a light on the fundraising profession and give a real boost to the charitable sector.”

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life limiting illness throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Centered on an individual’s needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.