It is with great pleasure that we announce Community Foundation for Lancashire as the Charity Partner at the Red Rose Awards 2021, the eleventh annual celebration of the Lancashire business community.
The Community Foundation for Lancashire creates charitable funds, through CSR and personal-giving, enabling businesses to create positive change across Lancashire.
With 20 categories open for entries, there’s something for all businesses in Lancashire to aim for. The Red Rose Awards celebrates business through sector specific categories, plus categories open to all such as employer of the year, customer service award and the innovation award.
Owen Phillips, development manager, Community Foundation for Lancashire, explains why the organisation supports the Red Rose Awards.
RRA: How did Community Foundation for Lancashire first get involved with the Red Rose Awards?
OP: The Community Foundation for Lancashire has enjoyed an excellent relationship over the years with the organisers of the Red Rose Awards, Lancashire Business View; we have a shared passion for working closely with Lancashire’s thriving business community.
RRA: What changes have you seen in the Red Rose Awards over the years that you have been involved?
In 2012, we were sponsors of the Financial Business of the Year category. We then went on to sponsor the Corporate Social Responsibility prize on two occasions – a category close to our hearts as a charity that supports businesses’ CSR objectives. This year we are incredibly proud to have been chosen by Lancashire Business View to be the Awards’ Official Charity Partner, for the Lancashire Red Rose Responding fund.
OP: The Red Rose Awards get bigger and better each year. We see more recognition for Lancashire businesses and the dedication to their CSR. The awards give a fantastic opportunity to showcase a business’ achievements but also to grow valuable relationships. The awards ceremony has quite rightly cemented itself as an important date in Lancashire’s business events calendar – it is an occasion of celebration and rare and prized opportunity for organisations of different sizes, structures and locations across the county to come together in one place.
RRA: What is the most rewarding part of being a sponsor?
OP: We have been a sponsor on several occasions – including for the Corporate Social Responsibility category during the previous two years – and thoroughly enjoyed being involved with, and supporting, the Red Rose Awards.
This year it is a tremendous privilege to be Official Charity Partner – it is an opportunity for more people to find out about the work we do facilitating charitable giving for businesses, families and individuals that will have maximum impact. It is also an opportunity to donate into the Lancashire Red Rose Responding Fund, which is supporting local charities, voluntary and community organisations that are helping vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis- specifically relating to mental health.
The most rewarding aspect of being a sponsor of the Red Rose Awards comes with the culmination of the ceremony where shortlisted organisations and individuals, and the category winners, are announced, recognised for their commitment to Lancashire.
RRA: How do you feel that the Red Rose Awards benefit Lancashire?
OP: The Red Rose Awards are incredibly important for shining a spotlight on the vitality of our county’s business and thriving economy. We have seen a growth in Lancashire pride emanating from the Red Rose Awards, which from our perspective, translates into support for Lancashire communities, particularly during extremely difficult times such as the pandemic.
RRA: How do you feel that your involvement with the Red Rose Awards benefits Four Recruitment?
OP: Our association and partnership with the Red Rose Awards has enabled us to make new connections and build relationships with businesses seeking to maximise their charitable giving. That is due to the Awards’ credibility and reputation across the county, as well as the superb profile-raising platform the organisers afford sponsors and partners.
This year, we look forward to promoting awareness of our Lancashire Red Rose Responding Fund that is focused upon supporting the mental health of people across the county as we work through the recovery phase of the pandemic. All funds we receive will go towards providing grants for Lancashire charitable and community organisations on the frontline providing critical mental health support.
RRA: Do you have any words of advice for businesses who may be considering entering this year?
OP: The Red Rose Awards give all businesses and individuals across the county a platform to step into the limelight and share their story to a vibrant network of other Lancashire businesses.
A chance to be shortlisted, or even win, a Red Rose Award should be an aspiration for any organisation looking to build their profile, make new connections and celebrate excellence in business.
Since the awards were launched in 2011, it has steadily grown and become the centrepiece attraction for the business community.
Businesses interested in entering the awards have until August 20 to submit their entry forms. The finalists will be announced on September 10, and they will then be given the opportunity to put their best case to the judges on September 22 and 23.
For more details, visit www.redroseawards.co.uk
The headline sponsors for Red Rose Awards 2021 are Forbes Solicitors and Barclays.
The awards are also sponsored by Azets UK, Business Health Matters, Campbell & Rowley, Cube Thinking, Eventus Recruitment Group, Ewood Experience, Four Recruitment, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Marketing Lancashire, Matrix247, Mattioli Woods, Napthens Solicitors, Northern Industrial, Peter Scott Printers, Pink Link, PM+M, Porsche Centre Bolton, Rowan Executive, Sales Geek, Seriun, Sundown Solutions, Two Zero and The University of Central Lancashire. The charity partner is Community Foundation for Lancashire.