# Fundraiser of the year - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/04/fundraiser-year-429/ - Published: 2008-07-04T10:27:24+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake For the fundraiser who, in the view of their peers, has shown consistent excellence and best practice in achieving high-quality fundraising through either their own efforts or their vision and strategy. And the three shortlisted entrants, in alphabetical order, are: **Adrian Burder, Dogs Trust** ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) In his 14 years at the Trust Adrian has consistently surprised fundraising income targets. He has increase fundraising donations year on year by 25 per cent, increased legacy income year on year by 16 per cent, and saw fundraising income reach an all time high of £42m in 1007. To achieve long-term income growth Adrian has also increased brand recognition of the charity after a name change in 2003, with awareness jumping from five per cent to 25 per cent. He has been a pioneer in exploring new media vehicles for fundraising and has tested all media channels. His strong motivational skills have helped maintain a stable fundraising workforce, many of whom have risen through the ranks of various disciplines within the organisation. **Michael Dent, WRVS** Since joining WRVS in 2005 Michael has shown himself to be an outstanding fundraiser, turning a poorly designed an implemented fundraising strategy into a highly successful, well planned one. He has introduced face-to-face, insert, cold mail and raffle campaigns along with a major donor programme, legacy strategy and an innovative In Mem proramme. He is very innovative and through his new strategies has turned a net loss of £250,000 in 2005 into a current net profit of over £600,000. More importantly, he has single- handedly turned fundraising from a pariah into a highly respected, valued and hugely successful venture with imagination, verve, expertise and passion. **Andy Williamson, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance** Andy took over the post in 2004 when the charity was £400,000 in deficit and on the verge of collapse. He quickly established a regular core income by engaging communities across the region using volunteers he personally trained as the charity’s ambassadors. In year one he reduced the deficit by half while still maintaining the £1.2m commitment to providing the service. In year three a £270,000 surplus has been delivered with income still growing and forecast to hit £2.2m next year. He is now expanding the service into three neighbouring counties. * **[National Awards ceremony highlights the best of UK fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/08/national-awards-ceremony-highlights-best-uk-fundraising/)**( 8 July 2008) * **[Three new trustees elected to Institute of Fundraising board](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/11/three-new-trustees-elected-institute-fundraising-board/)**( 11 July 2008) * **[Bags of common sense](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/18/bags-common-sense/)**( 18 July 2008)