Pictured: Charlotte Perkins, Managing Director of The Wilson Organisation

The Midlands' only Awards initiative to recognise family businesses and their leaders has raised over £4,000 for two charities supporting young enterprise and young people.

The 2011 Midlands Family Business Awards, a not-for-profit initiative run by independent insurance, financial, risk management and corporate finance firm The Wilson Organisation, will equally divide the funds raised between its nominated charities, The Children's Society in Nottingham and The Willow Foundation.

Charlotte Perkins, Managing Director of The Wilson Organisation, explains: "Right from the outset, the Midlands Family Business Awards were intended as a not-for-profit initiative with all proceeds going to charity.

"Wilsons has long been a company committed to supporting charities through sponsorship, fundraising and mentoring, and the Awards are a great opportunity to further that commitment."

Wilsons CEO Annabel Prow added: "Despite the current financial challenges for everyone, the generosity of all those involved in the Awards since their launch in 2010 has been incredible. The Awards' team have been bowled-over by how the Midlands' business community continues to embrace the Awards and the fundraising support that forms an integral part of them."

Proceeds from the Awards will support The Children's Society's Midlands-focussed work, that includes the Nottingham Community Mentoring Initiative. The charity's Tammy Gibson, Senior Project Worker, explains: "This is an early intervention project which recruits, assesses and trains volunteers from the local community to provide one-to-one support and guidance to young people aged 11 to 14 years. 

"The charity's objective is to improve the life experiences and choices of these children, by helping them to develop the strategies and skills they need to cope and ensure they are safe and have a trusted adult they can turn to. This donation from Wilsons through the Awards will for the second year provide an invaluable financial boost and lifeline to sustaining our goals."

Tammy adds: "Not only is the fundraising important to our work but The Wilson Organisation and The Midlands Family Business Awards connect us to local businesses with whom we can make links and promote the mutual benefits of community volunteering and mentoring; as well as bring in individuals from local businesses to inspire and motivate the young people that we are working with."

Second beneficiary is The Willow Foundation, the only national charity to provide psychological and emotional support for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds through the provision of special day experiences. The charity's Chief Executive Gill Edelman said: "The Willow Foundation is the only national charity which provides psychological and emotional support for seriously ill 16-40 year olds through the provision of special day experiences. Money raised by the Midlands Family Business Awards will help to provide life-enhancing special days for those most in need.

"At a time of uncertainty, spending quality time with family and friends can help restore a sense of normality, boost confidence and create precious memories for the future."

Charlotte Perkins adds: "Huge thanks must go to everyone that attended our events and has supported the Awards. We know the funds have and will once again make a big difference to those less fortunate than ourselves."

The headline category in the Awards - The Midlands Family Business of the Year - was won by Nottinghamshire-based Herbert Baggaley Construction Limited, with runners-up Derbyshire's C W Sellors and Salts Healthcare of Aston, Birmingham.

A full list of the winners and runners-up in the Awards' ten categories and a gallery of images from the Awards, is online: www.familybusinessawards.co.uk.

For more information on The Wilson Organisation view their website here: www.wilorg.com