A WORCESTER man has been selected from more than 13,000 nominations as a finalist for a national fund-raising award which recognises nominees for their charity efforts.
Tony Frobisher, 54, from Blackpole, was chosen for the final in the Outstanding Commitment category at the JustGiving Awards after cycling 100 miles before walking the distance of a marathon to raise money for a charity in Worcester.
He fund-raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice because of the respite care they provided for his daughter, Milla when she was born prematurely in 2006. Nominations are now open for the public to vote for their fundraising winners.
His cycle route covered Worcester to Hereford, then Gloucester and back to Worcester, covering all three counties where the hospice provides care for life limited children.
The cycle route and his marathon walk around south Worcester took a total of 16 hours.
Daughter Milla was one of triplets with her sisters Jewel and Louisa. They were all born 16 weeks prematurely and Jewel sadly passed away after only 17 days.
Milla and Louisa spent six months in hospital and had numerous operations and setbacks. Milla was diagnosed with sever spastic quadriplegia cerebal palsy and was unable to walk or talk and needed 24-hour-care.
In 2016 Milla passed away suddenly from a sepsis infection.
He said: “Acorns Children’s Hospice provided care for Milla and provided bereavement support for us, so I continue to fundraise for them as my way of saying thank you.
“It was very unexpected to be nominated but I am delighted and honoured that my fundraising activities have been recognised.
“I promised Milla I would continue to fund-raise in her memory and to increase awareness of the charity and their work – this nomination will help to do that.
“If I can inspire one person to do one good thing for charity, that is satisfaction for me.
“Any nomination or award is fantastic, but to see the recognition of the charities, their staff, volunteers and fundraisers is why I do these challenges.”
The JustGiving Awards are in their eleventh year and a total of 21 finalists across seven categories are hopeful of gaining as many votes from the public as possible.
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager at JustGiving said: “Our fundraisers and crowdfunders are amazing and whilst they don’t do what they do for praise and recognition, every single person deserves it.
“The ceremony is a magical evening but most importantly it’s a moment for us at JustGiving to thank, formally recognise and celebrate the individuals, groups and charities who have done extraordinary things in the interest of others.”
