THIS year’s Charity Fundraiser of the Year, sponsored by David Cliff Estate Agents, is the founder of a charity that started as a Facebook page, and grew into a global community of nearly 100,000 people.
In 2013 Arborfield resident Jaime Thurston met a lady in need of a rug.
Since then, her organisation, 52 Lives, has helped change the situations of countless people through the kind acts of strangers.
Every week the charity chooses to support someone who has requested help via social media, their supporters spread the word, help where they can, and inspire kindness in others.
Over the years the group has helped a homeless mother and son into a flat, built a sensory garden for a boy in Wales, bought carpet and furniture for women and children leaving refuges, sent cards and kind messages to children being bullied, and covered grocery bills for families with seriously ill youngsters.
The group also buys 500 school shoes each new school year, and cots and beds for several baby banks, as well as supporting borough charity campaigns.
“It’s lovely to get this award,” said Jaime.
“But it’s really our amazing loyal supporters, and my fantastic team who should get the credit.
“They are our 52 Lives community, and they’re constantly spreading kindness.”
These days many more than 52 lives are transformed each year by the charity, which also runs School of Kindness sessions in the nation’s primary schools.
“We’re a tiny charity, but we have a big reach,” she added.
“Often people say it wasn’t just the practical help they received, but the kindness and knowing that someone out there cared, that was life changing.
“My tiny team works so hard throughout the year, and we’re all doing 20 people’s jobs, so it’s lovely to have this recognised.”
For information, visit: 52-lives.org
