People’s Choice for Charity of the Year


The votes are in and Leonard Cheshire has been chosen by staff at UK executive search firm Odgers Berndtson as its Charity of the Year.

Leonard Cheshire has secured a two-year fundraising partnership with Odgers Berndtson’s UK business, whose staff will mobilise to raise money and volunteer for the charity.

Staff at the firm voted to support Leonard Cheshire out of a choice of several leading charities, choosing to support the charity’s mission to support and empower disabled people in the UK and beyond.

Odgers Berndtson has already been supporting Leonard Cheshire’s Change 100 internship programme for disabled students since the programme’s launch in 2014.

Now staff from the firm will lend a hand at Leonard Cheshire’s services, as well as helping to fundraise and campaign for the charity.

Laura Crandley, Executive Director of Partnerships at Leonard Cheshire, said:

'There are 13.9 million disabled people in the UK – support from companies such as Odgers Berndtson will enable us to support many more people to live, learn and work as independently as possible

'We are looking forward to collaborating with Odgers Berndtson and undertaking exciting fundraising activities and meaningful volunteering experiences that will directly impact people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions.’’

Odgers Berndtson’s Chief Executive Officer, Kester Scrope said:

'Leonard Cheshire was chosen by staff as Odgers Berndtson’s next charity partner from a strong shortlist. We have been honoured to support the charity’s vital Change 100 programme since its launch, so we look forward to our two year partnership to help transform opportunities for more disabled people and to raising awareness among our own staff and with our communities.'

Change 100 is an internship programme specifically designed to give opportunities to disabled students and graduates. Since launching in 2014 it has supported over 400 young people get their start in the world of work through over 130 employers.  


Notes to editors

For further information, interview requests and interviews, please contact: Samuel Buckley on samuel.buckley@leonardcheshire.org or 020 3242 0204.  Out of hours contact 07903 949 388.