Laura Centre founder is rewarded at Leicestershire First charity awards night
A woman who has dedicated nearly 20 years to a bereavement service has been given an award.
Gail Moore received the Judges' Special Prize at last night's Leicestershire First Awards for her work running The Laura Centre.
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Vivien Thompson, left, of Leicestershire First, presents Gail Moore with the Judges’ Special Award last night
Gail set up the centre with husband Harry in 1991 after they lost their five-year-old daughter, Laura, to leukaemia.
Staff at the centre, which provides support for 400 people each year, counsel families after the death of a child and children who have lost parents.
Each year, Gail must find £500,000 to keep the charity going.
Speaking after picking up her award – and £3,000 prize money – at The Guildhall, Leicester, she said: "It has been for the love of Laura that I have been able to do this but we couldn't have achieved as much as we have without the support of the Leicestershire community.
"To be recognised for the work we do it wonderful and £3,000 for the Laura Centre is a very major donation.
"It's touching that so many people appreciate the centre."
Leicestershire First was founded two years ago by Maurice and Vivien Thompson, of Lubenham, to promote leadership, excellence and citizenship.
Winners get £3,000 to give to local charities of their choice.
Paul Carlton, 23, of Eyres Monsell, who volunteers at the Leicester estate's club for young people, was given the Young Achiever's Award after being nominated by centre manager Louise McGuire.
Paul has used the cash to help pay for the youth club's new computer room.
Riaz Ravat, from Evington, Leicester, won the Citizenship Award for his work as a faith training development manager at the St Philip's Centre, in Evington.
The 31-year-old said: "It's not just a recognition of my work but of all faith communities in the city."
Volunteer of the Year was David Codd, founder member of Leicestershire Buddies, which trains disabled people to become sports coaches.
The 31-year-old, of Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, said: "We can use the funding to move on to bigger things."
David Brown, of Cropston, received the Community Builder Award for his anti-drugs campaigning.
Find out more about The Laura Centre.
3 Comments
by steve, Blaby
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 2:37PM
“I have been to this centre and found the help they gave me when I lost my son was fantastic. Long live the LAURA centre.”
by MELODY, Leicester
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 1:32PM
“I am so pleased this lady has been recognised for all her amazing work with the Laura centre. My son was helped immensley by the centre, after my husband died 3 years ago. They are a dedicated team and do such wonderful work. I would like to raise awareness to more people of Leicester and Leicestershire. As we all need this sort of bereavement counselling at some point if not for us but for family or friends.
Congratulations to Gail and the team.”
by Melody Redhead, Leicester
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 1:31PM
“I am so pleased this lady has been recognised for all her amazing work with the Laura centre. My son was helped immensley by the centre, after my husband died 3 years ago. They are a dedicated team and do such wonderful work. I would like to raise awareness to more people of Leicester and Leicestershire. As we all need this sort of bereavement counselling at some point if not for us but for family or friends.
Congratulations to Gail and the team.”