# Winners of The 2009 Alternative Rich List announced

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/09/08/winners-2009-alternative-rich-list-announced/
- Published: 2009-09-08T11:18:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![Alternative Rich List Winners - (l-r) Thelma Perkins, Tom Henderson, Susie Howe](
https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/u11/alternative_rich_list_winners_2009.jpg "
Alternative Rich List Winners - (l-r) Thelma Perkins, Tom Henderson, Susie Howe")

The winners of The 2009 Alternative Rich List have been announced. Three winners
have been selected by the public from one hundred people nominated for their commitment
to society from local community projects to world-wide campaigns.

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More than 5,000 members of the public nominated and voted for the shortlist for 
the awards, a fivefold increase on last year’s awards.

The three winners are Thelma Perkins, Tom Henderson and Susie Howe.

Thelma Perkins gave up her job as social worker to dedicate herself to distracting
young people from joining gangs. After her son was wounded in a shooting, she has
worked in schools, youth centres and in the community, educating young people about
the impact of street crime.

She founded the Mothers in Pain voluntary organisation for the victims and families
of gun, knife and gang crimes: the organisation shares information, educates young
people and provides support.

Ex-UK Royal Navy Search and Rescue diver Tom Henderson developed ShelterBox to provide
aid following natural disasters. Shelterbox, an easily transportable container, 
provides shelter and other equipment essential for survival.

With support of Rotary Clubs worldwide, ShelterBox has responded to more than 100
disasters in over 50 countries, providing shelter to more than 80,000 people following
earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, floods and humanitarian disasters such as conflict
and the AIDs crisis.

Susie Howe from The Bethany Children’s Trust set up a community-based orphan care
organisation in Zimbabwe, helping 8,000 orphan children suffering poverty, deprivation
and illness.

Susie also set up Pavement Project in the UK which produces materials for working
with street children round the world.

The awards were announced at in the run-up to forum3, the major annual recruitment
event for the UK’s third sector. It attracts 12,000 visitors. It is being held on
10 – 11 September at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Forum3’s Director Deborah Hockham said: "We couldn’t have anticipated the massive
public interest in this year’s Alternative Rich List.

"It seems to touch a nerve with so many of us who are inspired by the unsung heroes
whose wealth is not defined by pounds and pence but by the way they have enriched
other people’s lives".

www.forum3.co.uk

 

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