Northern Ireland

Belfast insurance broker donates £2,500 award win to charity

Lorraine Saunders, left, from Gallagher and Geraldine Kerr of Action Cancer
Lorraine Saunders, left, from Gallagher and Geraldine Kerr of Action Cancer Lorraine Saunders, left, from Gallagher and Geraldine Kerr of Action Cancer

A BELFAST insurance broker who received an award in recognition of her ongoing dedication to fundraising has donated the prize money to charity.

Lorraine Saunders, who works for the insurance and risk management specialist, Gallagher, was named 'Charity Champion of the Year' across all 50 of the company's UK branches.

The annual Making A Difference Awards 2018 saw Ms Saunders awarded a £2,500 cheque after being recognised for her charitable achievements.

She was nominated by her colleagues due to her tireless efforts in supporting charities as well as her ability to engage her team in Belfast.

Among the 12 fundraising initiatives she has helped organise over the past year were the relay for the Belfast Marathon, coffee morning, cake sales, toy donations and a Christmas jumper day.

Ms Saunders picked up the award at a special ceremony held in London and immediately donated the prize money to Action Cancer, boosting the total funds to the charity to more than £16,000.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be recognised for this award, but it has truly been a team effort," she said.

"At Gallagher, we are all passionate about supporting local charities in our community, and each member of the team has thrown themselves in to the fundraising efforts.

"Winning this award gives us that added incentive as we head into 2019, to keep up the good work and make next year our best year of fundraising yet."