Arlene Clark, who set up a bereavement charity after her six-year-old son died, was one of the winners of Scotland's annual fundraising awards
A mother whose six-year-old son died following from a virus was awarded Scottish volunteer of the year at the Scottish Fundraising Awards.
Arlene Clark from Renfrew set up Brightest Star after her son, Jack, passed away in 2012. The charity provides bereavement services for families who lose children.
Through a variety of events including 10k runs, a ball, family fun days and adventure activities, the charity has raised a massive £300,000 in just over a year.
Clark, from Renfrew, said: “Winning this award is all the more exciting given how many large charities were nominated.
“This is great recognition for Brightest Star and the families we help.I'd like to extend a special thank you to everyone involved in the team who have helped us get this far."
Fundraising is key to charities’ successes and we have a wonderful environment in Scotland - Gary Kernahan
The annual awards are run by the Institute of Fundraising Scotland and recognise the best in Scottish fundraising.
Other winners included Bethany Christian Trust’s Winter Care Appeal, which picked up the donor development award after raising £88,588 after setting a £50,000 target.
The Princes Trust Scotland won the community and events award for Lunch with an Old Bang. The event, which has run since 2009 saw 450 women bid for designer bags, some of which were donated by celebrities such as Andy Murray.
The Scottish Air Ambulance picked up the corporate and trust award for its partnership with Clydesdale Bank.
The marketing and communications award went to veteran’s charity Erskine for Erskine Week 2014, which coincided with the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and raised nearly £95,000.
Finally Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Tour de Lauder volunteer committee, which has raised £62,000 since April 2012, was honoured as the top fundraising group. The local cycling event, which takes place in April in the Borders, saw 500 cyclists completing either 50 or 89 mile routes in 2014.
Chair of IoF Scotland’s conference committee Gary Kernahan said: “In Scotland we have some of the very best fundraisers and these awards prove just that.
“Fundraising is key to charities’ successes and we have a wonderful environment in Scotland at the moment for campaigning and helping the most worthwhile causes.”
