YorkMix Hero Awards – Meet the finalists for the Fundraiser of the Year award

Ready for some more of our YorkMix Hero Awards finalists? Next up is the Fundraiser of the Year award.

We wanted to hear nominations for people who have gone above and beyond to raise money for an important cause over the past 18 months.

But we still need your help! Head over to the YorkMix Hero Awards page to vote in our People’s Choice Award – which shortlisted organisation do you think deserves to be recognised?

Keep reading to meet our fantastic finalists…

The Fundraiser of the Year award is sponsored by WorkwithYorkshire.

The Hero Awards ceremony will take place at the Principal York on Friday 8 October.

With thanks to our awards supporters!

Meet the finalists…

Evie Langan

10 year-old Evie decided to set herself a challenge to raise some money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Her challenge was to run 1k everyday for 100 days. She was inspired by her Auntie Laura – who ran 5k everyday in March – and Captain Tom.

Evie ran in all weathers, and through injury and illness. At the time of nomination she had completed 94 runs, and raised £541.

One person who nominated her said, “Evie always has a smile on her face while running knowing that so many people will have ‘a better day’ because of her actions.”

Evie herself said, “I am able to make a difference, so I am going to.”

Keigan Freeman-Hacker

16-year-old Keigan came up with the idea of raising money for York-based charities SNAPPY and Upfaders – after hearing how they were struggling for fundraising after missing so many events during 2020.

Keigan himself has autism, and knows from personal experience the help these charities can provide.

He set himself the challenge to complete a 12 hour tennis marathon. Keigan helped to organise the event, procure raffle prizes and get other people involved.

He raised over £1,200.

Someone who nominated Keigan said, “He worked really hard on the day and kept going through 12 hours of non-stop tennis in 21 degree heat.

“We are so proud of him as he has overcome struggles with his mental health – so this is quite an achievement.”

Marie Hughes

Marie is the CEO of OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity – a York-based charity that was set up in 2014 by Marie after she lost her son Oscar to a brain tumour.

In 2020, Marie faced more personal tragedy as her husband Ian, and 4-year-old son Milo both passed away of a brain tumour.

Despite this extremely challenging time, Marie has raised nearly £60,000 in the last 18 months and remains committed to fundraising for the fight against brain tumours.

One person who nominated Marie said, “While Milo was undergoing chemotherapy throughout last year, Marie was working closely with Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the University of Leeds to set up a brain tissue bank that will mean brain cancer researchers all over Yorkshire have access to state-of-the-art resources to collect, examine and conserve fresh tissue samples.”

Marie is also organising a number of teams in the Yorkshire Marathon Relay this October.

Congratulations to all of our finalists!

The winner of the Fundraiser of the Year award will be revealed in our Hero Awards ceremony at the Principal York on 8th October.

A big thank you to all our awards sponsors.