FROME’S fundraiser extraordinaire, Rachel Clark, has won the prestigious Volunteer Fund-raiser of the Year in the National Fundraising Awards 2020.
Rachel received the news on 29th May, on the anniversary of her mum’s death which set her on her mammoth fund-raising efforts for WHY, We Hear You, the Frome-based cancer counselling charity.
“I’m absolutely amazed,” Rachel told Frome Times. “I genuinely didn’t expect to win.
“I was up against some amazing people including Jamie McDonald, last year’s Pride of Britain winner; actress Sarah Parish; Joan Webb, a 100-year-old volunteer for the RNLI and the fundraising team for Pride in London who are all doing fantastic fund-raising work.
“I’m really humbled to receive the award but it’s great to be able to help put WHY, a small local charity on the national map for the work they do. I actually found out I had won the award when I was putting flowers on my mum’s grave on the anniversary of her death, so it was a really poignant moment. My fund-raising is in memory of her.”
On New Year’s Day 2019, Rachel set herself the challenge of running a mile every day for 365 days in aid WHY, in memory of her mum. Her final total was a massive £20,000. Overall over 5,000 people ran with Rachel during the year.
This year she is still fund-raising and has also completed a ‘virtual reunion mile.’
WHY’s director Melissa Hillier said: “What an amazing achievement for a truly amazing person! Rachel has raised more than £55,000 since 2011, funding £1,250 counselling sessions for children and adults affected by cancer and life-threatening conditions. Just as importantly, she’s a true ambassador for WHY, raising awareness of the support we offer and using her seemingly endless drive, energy and gift for communicating to raise our profile and inspire others to get involved.
To find out more about We Hear You’s free professional counselling service for people affected by cancer and life-threatening conditions, including Covid-19, please email info@wehearyou.org.uk or call 01373 455255.
