A BARNSLEY charity which has been supporting children and young people for more than 20 years has claimed a prestigious national award.
Exodus, whose headquarters are in South Hiendley, has been recognised as a 2021 Weston Charity Awards winner.
Having been chosen from 150 applicants from across the UK, all of which are frontline charities, Exodus will now have the chance to invest in its future with a grant of £6,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
They will also receive ten months of strategic planning support from a group of four businesses and charity leaders, thanks to the leadership charity Pilotlight.
Martin Sawdon, the co-founder of Exodus, said: “Being recognised in this way is a massive boost for everyone at the charity.
“Throughout the pandemic we have tried to keep our support to local children and young people going, and we have even expanded our reach.
“Working in partnership with the council and others, we have used our resources to deliver food parcels and undertake welfare visits to vulnerable Barnsley residents who have needed to shield or self-isolate.
“Now things are getting back to normal the children have returned to the clubs and camps we run with added energy and enthusiasm.”
Ed Mayo, chief executive of Pilotlight, added: “Exodus has been selected as a Weston Charity Award recipient on the strength of its ambitions and the openness of the leadership team to external perspectives.
“When we asked small charity leaders in the midst of a pandemic what help they needed from local people and business, two-thirds said they were actively seeking skilled pro-bono support.”
