The Freshies Charity Business Awards 2024 sponsored by the Forest Group was a roaring success!
18 inspiring businesses and businesspeople from across the North West were crowned the winners at this years ‘Freshies Awards 2024’ run by Chorley-based recruitment business, Fresh Perspective Resourcing, in an awe inspiring event that was held at Blackburn Cathedral, where over 320 people attended.
The Freshies are the awards that give back, a not-for-profit awards celebration created in 2020 and designed to inspire and bring together the local community, brilliant businesses and fantastic folk that reside in the North West UK.
In close collaboration with CDS Events and Creative individuals, for the fourth-year running it was an awards event with a twist to celebrate and recognise businesses in categories that the more traditional awards just don’t cover. With host Tony Greenwood returning to do the honours alongside Laura Leyland & Emily Leyland, the awards retained its more informal event format with an original take on food, Holly Ellison singing (also featured on the Voice UK), sax, bongos and entertainment provided by DFC and lots and lots of dancing.
Having been nominated for one of the sought after ‘Freshies’ businesses took to social media to ask for votes and then battled it out on video interviews with the joyful judges in attempt to bag a win – the 18 winners fought off intense competition from successful entrepreneurs across the region to prevail:
- Triumphant Trailblazer – Sarah Dearden, Enso Creative Arts CIC
- Marketing Magnifico – Heather Rose, Pink Fizz Social
- Most Treasured Team – Cube HR
- Positivity Pioneer – Joanne Collins
- Captain Kindness – Jenna Atkinson, Harrison Drury
- HR Hero – Pam Pinder, ELE Advanced Technologies
- Wellbeing Warrior – Renata Gianquitto, Wren Coaching
- Nifty Networker – Pam Molyneux, PM Business Support Services
- Best Business – Greenarc
- Brilliant Boss – Justine Forster, Advocacy Focus
- Charity Champion – East Lancashire Hospice
- Customer Service Sensation – Cover My Bubble
- Notorious Newcomer – Soccer HQ
- Exceptional Employee – Amy Gallear, Flourish Finance
- Hospitality Hotshot – The Secret Garden Glamping
- Sustainability Superstar – Reeds Refillery
- Fantastic Family – Your Affordable Board
- Shining Star – Suzy Orr, Unique Ladies
Laura Leyland, MD of Fresh Perspective Resourcing and organiser of the awards said: “What an amazing night, filled with joy and celebration, which is exactly what we set out to achieve when we created The Freshies. The number of nominations and votes this year was in the thousands, more than doubling the interest from last year. It’s one of my favourite moments of the year announcing our winners and then watching everyone have a fabulous night on the dancefloor!”
More than 320 guests turned out in force to celebrate another Freshies ceremony which was a not-for-profit event, raising money for five charities close to the heart of the Fresh Perspective team; Six Connections, Let’s make a Difference, Burnley Boys & Girls Club, Team 1C and the Suzy Orrsome Foundation – all of which will now receive an equal share of the £20,107 which was raised on the night to support the incredible work they do – and beats the previous year total of £16,500.
Emily added: “We’re so grateful to have had so much support for our fourth Freshies Awards and want to thank everyone who entered, attended and generously sponsored. The Freshies is a truly fantastic event celebrating the incredible success stories seen across the North West. The awards highlight the dedication that everyone has for their business and whether you were a finalist or a winner, you should be proud of your achievements.”
Some of our wonderful event sponsors were our Headline sponsor The Forest Group, Grassroots HR (Entertainment), Ryall’s Property Law (Drinks) Lestari Project Services (Music), Farleys Solicitors (Decorations), Active Lancashire (Trophies) and Darren Brand (Magic).