Scottish volunteer scoops prestigious international award

Tim Eden, from Edinburgh, has dedicated his life to improving and saving the lives of thousands of children with cancer in the developing world.

Now the 70-year old’s tireless work as a volunteer with World Child Cancer has earned him the prestigious Bond Volunteer of the Year Award 2018.

Piera Freccero, director of programmes at World Child Cancer, nominated him. She says: “Tim was instrumental in helping to set up World Child Cancer in 2007 to support children with cancer in the developing world and successfully ‘twinned’ hospitals in high-income countries with those in developing countries. Thousands of children’s lives have been changed by accessing such support.”

Tim, a volunteer, patron and advisor to World Child Cancer, recognises how much is still left to do. “I am surprised, grateful and honoured to be awarded in this way when there are so many wonderful charity volunteers. I’ve worked in Paediatrics, specifically for children with cancer and leukaemia, since the 1970s. To receive this award represents an acknowledgement that World Child Cancer is doing a good job and that saving more children worldwide is now being recognised as a greater priority. We all have to continue to work hard to ensure that every child can be given a chance to live a healthy life though. At 70 I feel that there is much left to do to ensure that all children with cancer, no matter where they live, can be offered a chance of a cure and reduce the suffering which I first saw over 40 years ago”.

In the last 3 years alone, over 12,000 children with cancer have accessed improved services due to the work of World Child Cancer and Tim’s invaluable input. Mike Wright, Director of Communications at Bond, says: “We are delighted to be honouring Tim Eden for the life-changing work he has been doing with World Child Cancer. The standard of shortlisted nominees in the volunteer category was incredibly diverse this year and every finalist had an inspirational story. The judges agreed that Tim’s work deserved to be recognised on a global stage and he should be deservedly proud of this award.”

Tim Eden will collect his award at a prestigious ceremony on February 26 in London.

The Bond International Development Awards form part of Bond Annual Conference, Europe’s biggest international development event, bringing together diverse organisations and thinkers to share ideas and discuss emerging trends in the international development and humanitarian sectors.

Further details on Tim’s admirable work can be found here: https://www.bond.org.uk/events/tim-eden-bond-volunteer-award-nominee

ENDS

For further information and interview requests, please contact:

Vicci Moyles E: [email protected] T:07879 680068

About Bond

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 450 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.

By helping our members adapt to an ever-changing environment, we enable civil society to create a more just and sustainable world. We work to influence governments and policy-makers, develop the skills of people in the sector, build organisational capacity and share expertise.

About World Child Cancer

World Child Cancer currently runs programmes in Malawi, Ghana, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Philippines, Myanmar, Mexico and six-country collaboration in Africa for a common kidney tumour. The programmes help to educate and train staff involved in the care of children, improve facilities, develop locally appropriate therapy, and provide holistic patient care. The projects are owned by the hospitals in developing countries not by the charity or assisting volunteers.

Notes to Editors

1. Now in their fifth year, the Bond International Development Awards recognise the inspiring humanitarian and development work within the International Development sector

2. There are six categories, each reflecting and responding to important trends and challenges in international development:

The Innovation Award (sponsored by Diversity Travel) showcases organisations, coalitions or initiatives that take novel approaches to navigate a complex and changing external environment.

The Collaboration Award recognises effective relationships and collaborations within and across sectors and disciplines to tackle difficult issues.

The Advocacy Campaign Award (sponsored by The Donkey Sanctuary) celebrates strategic and inspiring campaigns that raise public awareness of international development causes.

The Fundraising Campaign Award recognises creative fundraising campaigns that engage the public in new and unusual ways.

The Governance Award recognises NGOs who are practising and promoting good governance within their organisation.

The Corporate Partnerships Award (sponsored by Western Union Business Solutions) showcases effective work between NGOs and corporate companies.

The Humanitarian Award highlights the unacknowledged heroes working in the humanitarian field.

The Volunteer Award celebrates exceptional individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the organisation and the sector.

The Awards will take place on February 26, 2017 at the QEII Centre in London

Full details are available at bond.org.uk/events/bond-international-development-awards-2018