This week, nearly 12 months on from organising our most imaginative fundraising event to date, we received the incredible news that SOS Africa’s “Nominate an Inmate” fundraising event at Shepton Mallet Prison has been shortlisted for a National Fundraising Award.
Taking place at Troxy, London on 29th November 2016, “The National Fundraising Awards showcase the most remarkable fundraising achievements over the past 12 months, and celebrate the truly great work carried out by fundraisers throughout the United Kingdom.”
‘Nominate an Inmate’ was an entirely original fundraising event, whereby SOS Africa empowered 120 lucky individuals with the authority to “nominate an inmate” of their choice and sentence them to 24 hours imprisonment in HMP Cornhill, Shepton Mallet, Britain’s oldest operational prison until its closure in 2013. In return for these judicial powers the nominator had to raise £240 – a year’s tuition for a child supported by the charity.
After marching inmates down Shepton Mallet High Street in irons and through the prison gates, SOS Africa staff (the newly appointed prison officers) recreated an authentic prison experience which HMP Cornhill’s last inmates would never forget. Thanks to the incredible support of our officers, inmates, nominators, the support of local businesses and prison owners City & Country, this unforgettable event raised over £35,000, securing 143 years of school tuition for the SOS Africa Charity children.
“Nominate an Inmate” Documentary by NinaConstable
Event organisers Matt Crowcombe and Claudia Titley were delighted by the nomination: “It has been an incredible journey and we are so proud that the achievements our little West Country charity and our devoted local support base are being recognised at a national level. Thanks to everyone’s support the actual event only cost us £250 to organise with no marketing budget, proving that when goodwill is involved you don’t need to be a big organisation to achieve something great.”
Matt and Claudia also have more exciting news: “Following the overwhelming success of the event, City & Country have generously granted SOS Africa permission to repeat the event in Spring 2017. Although it is very early in the planning we are already developing some interesting twists on the original event, so watch this space… But if you would like to “Nominate an Inmate” please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
