Footballer honoured

Niall Quinn, Republic of Ireland's top goal scorer, has been nominated to receive a major new honour – the Beacon Prize 2003 - not for his sporting ability, but for his inspirational philanthropy.

Niall donated the proceeds of his testimonial match to charity, which led to over £1 million being raised for child welfare.

He has been chosen as winner of the Judges’ Special Prize, setting a precedent for other players to follow suit. Niall also played for Sunderland, Manchester City and Arsenal and has shared his donation between education projects in Africa, Asia and local hospitals in Dublin and Sunderland, forming the Niall Quinn Children’s Charity.

Beacon is a new charitable initiative which is raising the profile of giving in the UK while actively acknowledging and rewarding exceptional philanthropic acts by individuals.

Fourteen other nominees have been recognised, making a diverse group including Carol Wiggins, an enterprising unemployed mother who helped transform her local community, and 15 year old Sarah Francis who raised £12,000 for Afghan Refugees. 765 nominations were received, four times the number expected.

Lord Puttnam Of Queensgate, who sat on the panel of six judges, explained the importance of the Prize for today’s society, “Creativity and ingenuity are qualities that need to be recognised in an age of increasing cynicism, disengagement and even indifference .”

He continued, “The Beacon Prize provides a platform to celebrate the giving of time, skills and ideas by many throughout the UK and the remarkable impact if can have on individuals worldwide .”

The winners will attend a ceremony in the New Year at No. 11 Downing Street, and will be presented with a glass trophy.

In addition, all 14 nominees will be invited to become the first Beacon Fellows,and will help to shape the future of the charity and be an inspiration to other philanthropists.

The full list of Beacon Prize winners 2003 is:

Lifetime Achievement Professor David Morley
Leadership Lord Bhatia of Hampton
Leadership Carol Wiggins
Creative Giving Dr Martin Fisher and Nick Moon
Creative Giving Tom Hunter
Start Up Jason Maude
Start Up Dame Stephanie Shirley
Courage David Constantine
Young Philanthropist Zac Goldsmith
Young Philanthropist Sarah Francis
Judge’s Special Prize Niall Quinn
Judge’s Special Prize John Profumo
Judge’s Special Posthumous Prize Sir J Paul Getty

For full details of each of the fourteen winning nominations, please visit the Beacon Fellowship website at www.beaconfellowship.org.uk