THEY often go the extra mile to support good causes – so the team at Beaufort Financial (Reading) are the perfect sponsors of the Volunteer of the Year category at this year’s milestone A Place to be Proud of Awards.

Beaufort Financial (Reading) is an independent financial advisor working across the South of England from Oxford to Southampton. They also work in the Basingstoke and Deane area, helping families navigate their way through financial planning as they look to protect their loved ones. 

As a community-focused company, the Beaufort Financial (Reading) team regularly raise money for several local causes, including St. Michael's Hospice, The Camrose Centre for Homeless and Vulnerably Housed People, Basingstoke Foodbank, and Ark Cancer Charity, to name but a few.

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Mark Dolby, director of Beaufort Financial (Reading), who grew up and still lives in the town, said: “Beaufort Financial is pleased to be sponsoring the Volunteer of The Year Award at the A Place to be Proud of Awards 2023.

"We are in the fortunate position as a business to be able to help some fantastic local charities that do amazing work, with fundraising events and through our own corporate donations. Every time we do, it never ceases to amaze me when I meet the wonderful volunteers who are so selflessly and tirelessly invested in their charities.”

It was back in 2003 that the first A Place to be Proud of Awards were launched – and since then, hundreds of wonderful finalists and winners have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in, or contributions to, Basingstoke and Deane.

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The team at Destination Basingstoke, with the support of community-focused sponsors, have organised the awards for many years, and this successful partnership is the driving force behind the 2023 awards which will culminate in the grand finale at The Haymarket Theatre on the evening of Thursday, June 8.

Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, said: “The A Place to be Proud of Awards is always a special occasion, and this year’s event will be particularly memorable as we celebrate the 20th birthday of the awards.

“Destination Basingstoke, with the support of fantastic sponsors and key partners, has been delighted to deliver these awards for many years, and it is always wonderful to put the spotlight on the people, businesses and community organisations that make Basingstoke and Deane a place to be proud of.

“The judges are looking forward to receiving lots of nominations and to selecting the finalists and winners for this landmark occasion.”

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There are a range of categories, sponsored by local businesses. The awards are free to enter, and the categories are:

  • Health and Wellbeing Award – sponsored by Lilly
  • Community Project Award – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke
  • Above and Beyond Award – sponsored by Castle Trust Bank
  • Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Beaufort Financial (Reading)
  • Arts and Entertainment Award – sponsored by Basingstoke Community Radio
  • Young Role Model Award – sponsored by Queen Mary’s College 
  • Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Champion Group
  • Business and the Community Award – available for sponsorship

As well as celebrating this year’s finalists and winners, the 2023 A Place to be Proud of Awards is offering past winners the chance to make a welcome return and be part of this memorable evening.

One hundred free tickets have been reserved for past winners on a first come, first served basis. To get yours, please email Mark Jones on mark.jones@destinationbasingstoke.co.uk, stating what award you won and when. The deadline to register for these free tickets is March 31 but this opportunity will close early if all the tickets are taken and allocated.

Destination Basingstoke will once again be working with Basingstoke Voluntary Action, as a key partner, to help ensure the call to nominate reaches every part of the community, and the Gazette, which was a founder of the awards in 2003, is the media partner for the 20th year.

Nominations can be made online at destinationbasingstoke.co.uk and the closing date is April 28, 2023. All nominees of finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony.