Winners of the prestigious 2012 National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards range from a major toy retailer and a telecoms supplier to a chain of high street restaurants and the UK’s rail infrastructure.

Peter Lewis, Institute of Fundraising (IoF) chief executive said at the opening of the sixth awards ceremony this year hosted by HM Treasury: “Payroll Giving has reached £118m, its highest level ever with nearly three-quarters of a million employees using it to donate money to charity. This is a great achievement for Payroll Giving, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“Tonight’s Awards recognise both individuals and suppliers that have contributed significantly to Payroll Giving promotions throughout the past year. The nine awards have been designed to celebrate excellence and outstanding achievements by employers.”

He said the five judges were impressed by the quality of entries but that judging was extremely difficult due to the high standard of entries, with many previous entrants building on successful campaigns and introducing new and innovative ideas.

Speaking this evening at the National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards, Nick Hurd, minister for Civil Society, said: “We want to help make better connections between business and charities, which is why we introduced the Platinum Quality Mark Award to recognise the very highest standards in Payroll Giving.

“It is hugely satisfying to see that so many organisations have embraced Payroll Giving. Today we have the opportunity to celebrate companies that have gone the extra mile, whether by encouraging their staff to give to so many good causes by matching staff donations pound-for-pound, or by running extensive internal promotions to get more people signed up.”

Presenting the awards, Sajid Javid, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards to the Treasury. This is an opportunity for me to hear some real success stories, and to make sure we get the very most out of the scheme, the Government will launch a consultation later this year and I look forward to hearing the views of you in the sector.”

This year’s winners are:

Best Launch of a New Scheme:
The Entertainer, toy retailer

Best Re-Launch of an Existing Scheme:
Network Rail

Best Large Employer Campaign:
BT

Best SME Campaign:
Robert Holdcroft, franchisee of McDonald’s restaurants

Best Civil Society Employer Campaign:
Save the Children

Best Public Sector Employer Campaign:
The Police Service of Northern Ireland

Best Innovative Promotional Partnership:
ASOS with Workplace Giving UK

Best Individual Contribution:
Gary Grant Managing Director, The Entertainer

Best Overall Campaign:
Robert Holdcroft, franchisee of McDonald’s restaurants

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