Everybody Counts celebrates accountants' efforts

Winners in four categories were selected on the basis of time and commitment they had devoted to a project, and the difference that their work had made.

A special award was also made this year to FCA David Hunt, for a lifetime’s achievement through voluntary work.

This year’s winners are:

David Hunt for the Lifetime Achievement Award

David is a partner in PKF, and though nominally based in Nottingham he has for many years juggled an international work life with numerous voluntary commitments. Judges were so impressed with the extent of David’s exceptional involvement in voluntary projects that a special award was made this year.Over the last 40 years David has been involved in voluntary activities ranging from running local youth clubs to being chairman of The Prince’s Trust Nottinghamshire and national treasurer of the Rambler’s Association, as well as serving for many years on the institute’s council. All of these organisations have benefited from David’s incredible energy and commitment, allied to a unique ability to persuade other business people to become involved in his projects.

Heidi Fisher for the Younger Member Award

Heidi Fisher is a young chartered accountant working for a large firm in Birmingham. The city’s Bloomsbury Cyber Junction offers computer-based learning activities for teenagers in the severely deprived Nechells Ward.After helping set-up the project initially, Heidi is now secretary to the committee of ten volunteers. Heidi became involved after she heard local residents discussing the lack of facilities for teenagers. She was invited by a friend to attend a meeting to discuss setting up a group to turn an empty shop premises into an internet cafe and I has been involved ever since.

Nick Hixson for the Member in Practice Award

Nick, who has his own practice in Bournemouth, started the Southbourne Link of the Chernobyl Children Lifeline two years ago. The charity finds host families for children who are still suffering the debilitating and often fatal consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power disaster.

The life expectancy of children in this generation is only into their forties. The charity finds host families for 10 children from Belarus for one month in August so they can live in a good environment and get any medical attention they need. The visits have a huge impact on the life expectancy for the children. On average they put on 10% more body mass in the month they stay, and the boost to a child’s immune systems after a one-month stay in the UK can mean another two years of life. Nationally the charity now brings over some 3,000 children each year thanks to the support of local activists such as Nick.

Tom Clancy for the Member in Business Award

“Learning by Doing” is the motto for Young Enterprise, an international charity-based scheme offering business education to young people aged 15-19. The teenagers volunteer to operate a company within a school year, as a practical reality, as opposed to a business game with hypothetical funds. Students must identify and appoint directors of the company with responsibility for sales, production, marketing, and then develop, produce and market a product or service.

Tom, who works in business for Robinson Plastic Packaging, has been chairman of his local young enterprise scheme for the last five years. During this period he has established from scratch a board of directors from local companies and organisations. In addition he has produced a team to represent the county nationally twice in the last three years.

Christine Timbrell for the Retired Member Award

Christine became a trustee of the Gender Trust, a charity offering support to those with gender dysphoria (Transsexualism), in 2000. She took on the role of chair last year and has since been involved in launching a corporate membership scheme to increase income for the trust and to advise industry and commerce on the requirements of the Sex Discrimination Act.

Christine commented on how her professional skills come into her voluntary work. She said: ‘Transsexualism is finally shaking free from the ignorance, fear and prejudice which prevents victims of this recognised medical condition from achieving their full potential. I didn’t realise how much the presentation skills learnt in an office would help in raising the profile of the Gender Trust.’

The Everybody Counts Awards Scheme is run by the ICAEW in conjunction with Accountancy Age and aims to recognise and promote the contribution of chartered accountants to charities and voluntary organisations. The awards, now in their second year, are made to members of the institute who dedicate their time and skills to charitable projects in their community. Winners are given a £2,000 cheque by the ICAEW to donate to voluntary projects they have been working with. For more information about how to get involved in the Everybody Counts initiative, visit www.icaew.co.uk/everybodycounts.co.uk.