Shortlisted charity prove they're cooking with gas

Lets Get Cooking Biddick Hall School South Shields
featuring Kelli-Anne Broome
Photo: John Millard/UNP — Lets Get Cooking Biddick Hall School South Shields featuring Kelli-Anne Broome Photo: John Millard/UNP

The Children’s Food Trust, which is based in the cathedral quarter, is in the running for a Children & Youth Charity Award for its Let’s Get Cooking Programme, which has provided more than three million people with healthy cooking skills since its launch.

The Charity Awards is the charity sector’s most highly-regarded excellence recognition scheme, judged by an independent panel of sector leaders. 30 shortlisted charities will attend a ceremony in London next month, hosted by former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull, where ten winners will be revealed.

Children’s Food Trust CEO, Linda Cregan, said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted. Let’s Get Cooking is making a difference to the way children and families eat around the country and our mission now is to make sure even more children get the chance to be part of a Let’s Get Cooking club, to develop the cooking skills which will help them eat well for the rest of their lives.”

Tania Mason, editorial director at Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, said: “We had a record number of entries this year, and the standard was particularly high, so the Children’s Food Trust should be very proud to have made the shortlist.

“For 16 years the Charity Awards have been identifying and celebrating the fantastic work that UK charities do, and the rigorous judging process ensures that only the very best-run charities make it through.

“We wish the Children’s Food Trust the very best of luck on the night.”

John Low, chief executive of Charities Aid Foundation, overall partner of the Charity Awards, said: “CAF exists to support the amazing work of charities. Anyone looking to see some of the impressive ways in which charities make a difference would only need to take a look at the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Charity Awards.

“These are shining examples of charities at their very best, showing determined leadership and constantly innovating to support people in communities across the UK and beyond. It is vital that we continue to celebrate the success and recognise the achievements of charities which make such a difference to people’s lives in so many different ways.”