# Sir Lenny Henry opens the first virtual IoF Fundraising Convention - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/07/06/sir-lenny-henry-opens-the-first-virtual-iof-fundraising-convention/ - Published: 2020-07-06T11:01:33+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **Sir Lenny Henry today presented the opening plenary of the Institute of Fundraising’s 2020 Fundraising Convention.** Introduced by Convention chair-elect Claire Rowney, Sir Lenny spoke live from home to many of the 3,000 delegates who have registered for this year’s Convention. He talked about Comic Relief’s early days and its track record, of people’s instinctive willingness to give under even the hardest of circumstances, of the need to present peoples’ stories from their point of view, and the requirement for organisations like charities to reflect the people they work with and not just a sub-set of them. ## Advertisement Sir Lenny answered questions from delegates and delivered an inspiring start to the three-day event. Appropriately enough, **Claire Rowney** began the opening plenary session announcing two special awards (which would normally have been presented as part of the National Fundraising Awards). The [Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising went to Richard Taylor](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/07/06/richard-taylor-wins-iofs-outstanding-contribution-award/), and, a one-off award, the [Special Recognition Award](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/07/07/sir-lenny-henry-wins-special-recognition-in-fundraising-award/), went to… **Sir Lenny Henry**!  > We are also excited to honour [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > with our first ever Special Recognition award. Congrats Lenny! [#IoFAwards](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFAwards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/uRrF3GnI7j](https://t.co/uRrF3GnI7j) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/CIOFtweets/status/1280060860518588417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)    ## Highlights of Lenny Henry’s opening plenary > Just on a zoom with Sir [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > as you do on a Monday morning 😀 looking forward to my first [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Fundraising convention 👍🏼 great opportunity for learning and development [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/HA2FJ72XPB](https://t.co/HA2FJ72XPB) > — Stacey kirkpatrick MCInstF (@Staceyk51) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/Staceyk51/status/1280058464962850816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Lenny giving me some serious [#MondayMotivation](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MondayMotivation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)! > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/bg2LditIkm](https://t.co/bg2LditIkm) > — Jenny Peat (@JennyP_Sense) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/JennyP_Sense/status/1280061709533753344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > A national muffin-case shortage, a proposition to adopt Debenhams and thousands > of schools taking part in [@comicrelief](https://twitter.com/comicrelief?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)… > [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – a true fundraiser > and someone who has used his skills, platform and humanity to make the world a > better place! [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#fundraising](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fundraising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/z9P20wnMLO](https://t.co/z9P20wnMLO) > — Veronica Bamford-Deane (@vbam22) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/vbam22/status/1280062276012212224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > "It was 1985. A gaggle of fresh faced comedians (and Griff Rhys-Jones) set up > Comic Relief gathered to do something funny for money. The challenge is to capture > what the problem is, the inherent emotion & how people can help. We've evolved > like our supporters." [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/BDF1J1TyOI](https://t.co/BDF1J1TyOI) > — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/1280062809854955521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > “Comic Relief has become a people’s movement “ [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@ThinkCS](https://twitter.com/ThinkCS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) @Canada_THINK [pic.twitter.com/KU4gESe9Eq](https://t.co/KU4gESe9Eq) > — Michelle Chambers (@MicheChambers) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/MicheChambers/status/1280062963165073410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > I’ve just cried at the privilege of watching and listening. The highlight of my > career so far [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@CancerCareLocal](https://twitter.com/CancerCareLocal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/sJycQFXTL8](https://t.co/sJycQFXTL8) > — Emma Athersmith (@emmaathers) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/emmaathers/status/1280064528424882177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Great to hear from [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > this morning [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#IOFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IOFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#inspiration](https://twitter.com/hashtag/inspiration?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#plenary](https://twitter.com/hashtag/plenary?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#virtual](https://twitter.com/hashtag/virtual?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#conference](https://twitter.com/hashtag/conference?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > the sense of community keeps coming through. “When we see a problem that affects > us we try to fix it, together” > — Terence Lovell (@tejlovell) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/tejlovell/status/1280065099840045056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > "Compassion fatigue is a misnomer. We're going to get through this. We're going > to keep giving, because we want to, and because it's what we do." > Sir Lenny on > the generous public response to the pandemic.[#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/mayxp6PxFK](https://t.co/mayxp6PxFK) > — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/1280065719783305222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > "We have to keep going, or all those vital things will go by the wayside. And > we can't have that. We can't stop believing". [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > talking commitment, humanity, solidarity, and the importance of the small stuff > as well as the global. Inspiring message for the times. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Matthew Sherrington 💙🧡 (@m_sherrington) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/m_sherrington/status/1280065726016040960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > A hearty laugh while talking about serious issues. Thanks so much [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/OqVy3qCwRq](https://t.co/OqVy3qCwRq) > — Tara (@TaraSherjan) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/TaraSherjan/status/1280065861315956739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > ‘Young people are engaged with (coronavirus) and they are seeing things, they > are seeing people in much worse off situations than themselves…and THEY want to > help.’ [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – the > future may be brighter than we think. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#fundraising](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fundraising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#movements](https://twitter.com/hashtag/movements?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#change](https://twitter.com/hashtag/change?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Veronica Bamford-Deane (@vbam22) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/vbam22/status/1280066344449433600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > If everybody looks like you, it needs to change. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Victoria Winterton (@VictoriaPiaW) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/VictoriaPiaW/status/1280066730233036802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) on EDI – it's > not his full time job, but I recognise that some of us get charged with taking > this on. "Look around your office. If everyone looks like you there's a problem." > > EDI Recruitment Guides coming tomorrow. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Elizabeth Balgobin (@balgobinthinks) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/balgobinthinks/status/1280066824021987328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) https://twitter.com/LucyCaldicott/status/1280067431181017090   > [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – it starts > at the top -if you are on the board or organising things – look around your team& > then look outside at the community you serve. Ask the hard questions – how do > we serve you? how do we change? [#DiversityAndInclusion](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DiversityAndInclusion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — okusoka+co (@okusokaCO) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/okusokaCO/status/1280067510684061696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Successful fundraising – allow people to tell their own story [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/TwheYm10oR](https://t.co/TwheYm10oR) > — @Pollysymondson (@Pollysymondson) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/Pollysymondson/status/1280067964855889922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > First person storytelling instead of third person. [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > tells the sector that the days of *image of a poorly child*, narrator: "this is > a poorly child" are gone. Make sure that you tell the story of your cause through > your beneficiaries, not on their behalf. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Emily Hurrell (@Emme_B) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/Emme_B/status/1280068427982479360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > "First person rather than omniscient storytelling. People can tell their own story > better than we can." > Sir Lenny at [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/m9bVrEZmP0](https://t.co/m9bVrEZmP0) > — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/1280068284495339520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > Great tips from [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > about using [#storytelling](https://twitter.com/hashtag/storytelling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to motivate [#donors](https://twitter.com/hashtag/donors?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > in this morning’s [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > 📖 Make it authentic and true📖 Don’t patronise the reader – they’re smart and > informed! 📖 Let people tell their own story📖 Bring the reader into the story > [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Kat Carter (@KatC) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/KatC/status/1280068552284868608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > “Nothing happens without grit” – together we can overcome anything. Thank you > Sir [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 🙏🏻 thank you > [@clairerowney](https://twitter.com/clairerowney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and we even > got a KATANGA! [pic.twitter.com/ElTw36oJXM](https://t.co/ElTw36oJXM) > — Sally Insley (@sally_insley) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/sally_insley/status/1280070249208000512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) https://twitter.com/sarahlousec/status/1280070565907386368 > “You rock” says [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to all [#fundraisers](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fundraisers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IOFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IOFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/s6laslPrXN](https://t.co/s6laslPrXN) > — Terence Lovell (@tejlovell) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/tejlovell/status/1280070586719404032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > What a wonderful way to start a Monday morning. [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > with Stormzy, [@akalamusic](https://twitter.com/akalamusic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > and the Krankies climbing Everest. What an image. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Elizabeth Balgobin (@balgobinthinks) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/balgobinthinks/status/1280070638275788800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > "Fundraisers rock. You rock like a rocky mobster" [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/p2vEBYm44R](https://t.co/p2vEBYm44R) > — CIOF North West (@CIOFNorthWest) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/CIOFNorthWest/status/1280070727929126912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > [@lennyhenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) says "Thank > you to everybody in the [#fundraising](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fundraising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > sector – you rock!" – yes we do! [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/2wTDEJCb4A](https://t.co/2wTDEJCb4A) > — Sophie Maggs (@sophmaggs) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/sophmaggs/status/1280070941616242691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > "What I've learnt over the past 30 years is the importance of sticking together" > What an absolutely brilliant opening plenary, Sir Lenny. Thank you. [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/Ikg5aisomh](https://t.co/Ikg5aisomh) > — Rob Cope (@robantonycope) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/robantonycope/status/1280070990349905920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@LennyHenry](https://twitter.com/LennyHenry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) – just brilliant > 👏🏾 “Katanga my friend” indeed- [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)– > well done to all at [@IoFtweets](https://twitter.com/IoFtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > a brilliant start you’ve raised the bar! > — David Mbaziira (@DavidMbaziira) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/DavidMbaziira/status/1280071572749983744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Sir Lenny Henry in a peacock-print shirt, in our living rooms, inviting us all > on a fundraising climbing holiday with Stormzy, The Spice Girls, Girl's Aloud, > Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and the cast of Dad's Army [#IoFCC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFCC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). > BEST MONDAY MORNING EVER. > — Laurie Boult (@boultea) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/boultea/status/1280073640466436103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Part 2 of my notes of Lenny Henry's [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > plenary [pic.twitter.com/xvJlY82ex0](https://t.co/xvJlY82ex0) > — BoldLight (@boldlight) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/boldlight/status/1280075418347941888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#IoFFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IoFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) trending > at Number 7 in the UK right now – wow! I❤️our sector [pic.twitter.com/oFx9z6CRxK](https://t.co/oFx9z6CRxK) > — Matt Smith (@InnovationMatt) [July 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/InnovationMatt/status/1280075928010399744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)