Penny Hardy, 58, from South Devon has been named as a finalist in this year’s Creative category for the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising £15,500 through gifting her own sculptures for UNICEF.
Newton Ferrers-based sculptor, Penny designed four life-size figures, with the winning title, ‘Peace by Piece’, using scrap metal to demonstrate how climate change and global conflicts were impacting children’s futures across the world.
After spending many months creating the sculptures, Penny ran a competition on JustGiving called ‘Sculpture for Change’
This campaign invited supporters to donate what they can alongside a word or phrase that could be chosen to become a physical part of the sculpture, with the author of the winning title ‘Peace by Piece’, choosing where the sculpture is located.
After hearing the news that she was a finalist in the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, Penny said: “I am delighted and thrilled to be a finalist among some amazing individuals and groups who have done extraordinary things to raise money for their own charities.
“Originally I created my sculptures as my sculptural response to climate change, and my compelling need to show in my own way how it is fundamentally affecting children’s futures, but when Ukraine was invaded, I immediately felt it wasn’t enough to just exhibit them, I needed to gift what I’d created as a means to raise funds, for a charity that would make a difference.
“The emotional response from people has been heartening and rewarding. I wanted people to engage and participate in the message I was conveying, and my sculptures really seem to have captured people’s hearts and minds” continued Penny.
“UNICEF are always at the forefront of helping to care for all children, they are there at the very start of any event that threatens them and remain long after to continue all aspects of improving every child’s potential in this volatile world. Sadly, they need us more than ever and I hope by being part of the awards I’ll be able to raise more.”
After being nominated by members of the public, Penny, was selected as a finalist by a panel of judges which includedtelevision reality star and singer, Jake Quickenden, Strictly Come Dancing dancer, Amy Dowden, actor and presenter, Sunetra Sarker, award-winning British broadcaster, Adele Roberts, award-winning BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ, Rickie Haywood-Williams and former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE, award winning fundraiser Caroline Jones, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless, Pat Phelan and the President and General Manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie.
From more than 18,000 nominations, the judges had the tough job of shortlisting 21 inspiring finalists, three in each of the seven awards categories. There is also a Special Recognition Award, appointed by JustGiving, for an individual who has gone above and beyond to raise money and make a difference.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: “Penny’s commitment in helping to create a brighter future for children across the world is so admirable.
“What she has achieved is nothing short of amazing and we cannot wait to celebrate Penny and all of our incredible finalists at what will be our twelfth award ceremony.”
Members of the public now have the opportunity to vote for the fundraisers they want to see crowned for their efforts via: https://page.justgiving.com/ju
The eight winners will be announced at the ceremony which takes place at London’s Roundhouse on the evening of September 18th.
Pat Phelan, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless said: “I’m so pleased to see Penny recognised as a finalist in this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards. I was blown away by her creativity in raising money for UNICEF, and I’m glad that we’re able to shine a light on her efforts.”
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