AFRICA NOW PICKS UP TOP NATIONAL AWARD
Africa Now has won one of the most prestigious accolades to be awarded in the charity sector at the Charity Awards 2007, sponsored by the Charities Aid Foundation and The Times' Public Agenda section. 
The charity, which reduces poverty in Africa by promoting enterprise and linking people to markets, picked up the coveted award in the International aid and development category at a glittering award ceremony in London, on Thursday 21st June.
The ceremony, the eighth annual Charity Awards event to take place, is the only national awards scheme in the UK to recognise excellence in the management of charities, acknowledging the outstanding work and achievements of charities from across the UK and the tireless commitment of the people behind them.
Dara O'Briain, Rachael Stirling, Kate Adie, Zoe Wannamaker, George Alagiah and Lord Neil Kinnock, were amongst an impressive line up of celebrities attending the event to present awards in 10 separate categories. Other winners included Comic Relief, The Alzheimer's Society, The Children's Trust, Mothertongue Counselling & Listening Service and Storybook Dads who picked up the top award of the night. Sir Roger Singleton, retired Chief Executive of Barnado's, also picked up the Outstanding Achievement award.
Designed to highlight the management achievements of charities in order to help spread good practice throughout the sector, the award was presented to Africa Now for its innovative approach in tackling poverty in Africa working to empower local people to improve labour standards of both workers and producers in order to work their way out of poverty. Its services, which have been developed over 25 years, continue to gain international recognition and demand from a wide variety of companies. The Charity Awards judges were looking for examples of excellence from which other organisations can learn. They felt that the difference Africa Now has made in this area was especially deserving of that recognition.
Daniel Phelan, organiser of The Charity Awards 2007 comments: With more nominations than ever this year, the Charity Awards are a great illustration of how much fantastic work takes place within the sector. This year, the Awards have recognised the wide range of charitable activity across the UK, with winning charities ranging in size from those with a couple of volunteers operating on limited resources to the largest household names. What they all have in common is their ability to turn innovation, passion and vision into an effective project or organisation demonstrating considerable impact. Africa Now is a fantastic organisation, the award is thoroughly deserved and we're delighted to congratulate them on their achievements.
Africa Now would like to thank all of our supporters for your continued interest and support as we celebrate this milestone in our development as an organisation.
For more information about the UK Charity Awards ceremony and finalists please go to the Charity Awards website.