# Institute of Fundraising Awards recognises fundraiser behind furlough support group

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/01/04/institute-of-fundraising-awards-recognises-fundraiser-behind-furlough-support-group/
- Published: 2021-01-04T10:30:21+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The fundraiser who created the popular ‘Furloughed Fundraisers’ Facebook group
was awarded the Special Contribution Award at the [Chartered Institute of Fundraising Chilterns](https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/chilterns)
Awards in December.**

 

Nikki Wrench set up the Facebook group at the start of the pandemic to provide support
to the fundraisers who suddenly found themselves on furlough. Members of the group
have had access to training and resources to help keep them motivated and educated
while not working. The group now has over 2,000 members. 

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“When I found out that my role was being furloughed, I went through a whole host
of emotions,” Nikki told UK Fundraising. “I was upset, I was angry, I felt undervalued
and like all of the work, time, effort and passion that I’d put in during my employment
had meant nothing.

 

“I knew that if I was feeling like this, then many more people would be too, so 
I decided to set up a Facebook group for Furloughed Fundraisers; a safe place for
people to chat about how they were feeling and, maybe, swap their skills so that
they could volunteer for another charity who may possibly need the support.” 

 

**SEE ALSO: [Sailing through the fog of furlough together: the story of the Furloughed Fundraisers Chat group (16 October 2020)](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/10/16/sailing-through-the-fog-of-furlough-together-the-story-of-the-furloughed-fundraising-chat-group/)**

 

 

 

The Awards also recognised the success of other regional fundraisers, including:

 

 * Young Fundraiser of the Year: Henry Letts on behalf of Pace Child and Family 
   Therapy Services
 * Rising Star: Kirsty Wood, Philanthropy Officer at Child Bereavement UK
 * Fundraiser in the Community: Peter and Ellie Marland on behalf of Helen & Douglas
   House
 * Fundraising Team of the Year: Homestart Hertfordshire (income under £500k) and
   Child Bereavement UK (income over £500k)
 * Fundraiser of the Year: Nathan Swift, Regional Community Fundraiser, Ronald MacDonald
   House Charities. 

 

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising Chilterns said on its [website](https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/about-us/groups/chilterns/chilterns-awards):

 

“After a difficult year for so many, it was wonderful to come together (albeit virtually)
to applaud the fantastic fundraisers living and working in the Chilterns who make
the world a better place.”