Eight National Award Nominations. But That's Not The Bit I'm Proud Of.
This week I found out that Red Squirrel Property Shop has been shortlisted for six categories at the 2026 Agents Giving Fundraising Champions Awards.
I have also been shortlisted for two individual awards.
Eight nominations in total of which I am extremely grateful for the recognition.
But if I'm honest, the awards themselves are not the thing that matters most to me…what matters is what sits behind them.
Years ago, when we started Red Squirrel Property Shop, we weren't trying to build just another estate agency. There were already plenty (too many) of those, we wanted to build the sort of agency we would use ourselves.
One that cared, one that put people first, one that understood that businesses have a responsibility to the communities that support them and to give that compassion.
From day one, community impact was never an afterthought.
Over the years we have supported local charities, sports clubs, schools, fundraising events and community projects across the Isle of Wight.
Not because it was good marketing, most don’t know of probably 75% of what we have done behind the scenes. Not because we thought it would win awards.
Because it was the right thing to do.
That belief became even stronger after losing my sister Zoe in 2020 of which many people know the story.
What should have been a treatable melanoma became something far more devastating.
The loss changed my perspective on almost everything and taught me how precious time really is and how fragile life can be.
Most importantly, it taught me that if you have the ability to create positive change, you should.
That loss led to the creation of Zoe's Law. A mission to improve education, awareness and prevention around skin cancer. A mission to stop other families experiencing what ours did.
Since then, we have worked with incredible organizations to create real impact.
This year we helped launch Sun Safe Schools on the Isle of Wight in partnership with SKCIN, helping bring sun safety education directly into schools across the Island.
We have supported initiatives through UKSA, helping provide access to sun cream for young people spending long periods outdoors.
Education
Prevention
Action
Because if one child grows up understanding the dangers of sun damage, that knowledge could one day save their life.
Alongside this work, I have been privileged to support Mountbatten Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. As a trustee the role has given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work carried out by the charity every single day for our communities.
Most people only encounter Mountbatten during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
What they provide is far more than medical care.
They provide dignity, compassion, support, hope. For patients, for families and for entire communities.
It is difficult to put into words the impact that has.
Over the years I have supported fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives and events connected to Mountbatten, and over the next 7 months I will be completing 7 extreme challenges all over the world in memory of Zoe whilst raising funds to support their work.
The reality is that none of these eight nominations belong to me.
They belong to every member of the Red Squirrel team who has given up their time to support a cause, to our clients who have backed our fundraising efforts.
They belong to our partners, volunteers, supporters and charities.
The nominations are nice and the recognition is appreciated and helps me have the energy to continue of course…
But long after the awards have been handed out, what will matter are the lives touched.
The families supported, awareness created, conversations started, children educated, funds raised and the impact left behind.
That has always been the goal.
