Red Balloon is delighted to have won Charity of the Year with the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. Ben Cohen MBE is an England Rugby World Cup champion and, in May 2011, he retired to found the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.
The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying by connecting communities and raising funds to support those doing real-world work to eradicate bullying. Their mission is to create a world of understanding and kindness together.
At an online award ceremony streamed live on Facebook and Twitter, Samantha Sherratt, our Director of Fundraising and Communications, accepted the award on everyone’s behalf. She said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits to receive your Charity of Year Award this year. I just wish the whole Red Balloon team could be here, as I know they’re all delighted too!
“I’m accepting this award on behalf of all my wonderful colleagues – the teachers, mentors, therapists, housekeepers and others who make Red Balloon the amazing haven it is.”
“Children come to us because they simply can’t go to school any more. This may be because of severe bullying, mental health problems or other trauma in their lives. Through attending Red Balloon, they resume their studies, take their exams, rebuild their confidence and self esteem, and learn to be around their peers again. Most of all they learn to trust and dream about the future again. We’re so proud of each and every one of them.
“Thanks, Ben, for all that you and the StandUp team do to highlight the problem of bullying. Together we can make the world a kinder place.”
