Shortlist announced for awards

The shortlisted candidates in the fourth Shropshire Businesses for Children Awards have been announced. 

The BCAs honour and celebrate the county’s businesses and people, which work hard to educate, support and provide activities and products for children. 

The black tie and gown evening will take place on March 11 at the Park Inn Hotel, Telford. 

The event has become a fixture in the Shropshire awards calendar with businesses across the county hoping to be nominated for one of the 13 prestigious awards. 

The ceremony, which will be compered by Shropshire Business editor Carl Jones, is sponsored by a wide variety of businesses and organisations, which all recognised the need to stand up and support valuable community events.

The headline sponsor is Henshalls Insurance Brokers, based in Newport, which this year will celebrate its 50th anniversary. 

This year there are 16 sponsors, from large organisations such as the University Centre Shrewsbury to small businesses such as JS Business Admin. Other sponsors include Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lanyon Bowdler, The Wroxeter Hotel, The Dyslexic Dyslexia Consultant, J&PR, SJF Design and Print, Memo Office, MGP Accountants, Kingswood Learning Leisure, Yarrington, Park Inn by Radisson, photographer Ed Bagnall and Vehicle Glass Conversions. 

Categories for 2017 include Children’s Charity, Shropshire Childminder, Children’s Product, Business for Babes, Nursery/Pre-school, Educational Business and Sports Business. There is also a new volunteer category.

Andra Brasovanu, awards co-ordinator for 2017, said: “We are so excited about the awards ceremony in just under two weeks time. 

“Our judges have had a tough time choosing the winners from a very high calibre of shortlisted candidates. It is going to be very tense waiting to hear who are announced as 2017 winners. 

“But we are so proud of all the businesses, charities and organisations who have been shortlisted. It is such an achievement and shows the value people place on the work they do with children and young people in our county. Good luck to all our short-listed candidates. 

“The awards ceremony is always an inspiring and emotional event and we can’t wait to share it with our guests.”

This year the BCAs has pledged to support leading children’s mental health charity Place2Be. Organisers want to raise awareness of children’s mental health and will be using the hashtag #bekind to support the charity’s 2017 theme of kindness.

THE FINALISTS:

Children’s Charity, sponsored by Henshalls Insurance Brokers: 

The Hive
Home-Start Telford and Wrekin
Young Enterprise Shropshire
Empathy

Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Educational Business for Young People, sponsored by The Dyslexic Dyslexia Consultant:

Shropshire Kids Festival
Headstart
Excitim
Teach Me Group Ltd
Bright Owls 

Shropshire Childminder, sponsored by Yarrington:

Susan Fulgoni Childminding
Little Daisies Childminding
Creative Steps Childcare
Su's Childminding
Stacey's Childminding 

Shropshire Parent’s Award, sponsored by SJF Design and Print:

Fidget Pie
Stacey's Childminding
Musical Steps
Baby Bird Cafe
Create Family Calm 

New Business for Children and Young People, sponsored by J&PR Ltd:

Diddy Rugby
Chatty Chinese
Create Family Calm
Baby Bird Cafe
Shropshire Event Nannies 

Business for Babes, sponsored by JS Business Admin:

Sing and Sign
Baby Bird Cafe
Baby Sensory Shropshire
Musical Steps
Pyjama Drama

Sports Business for Children and/or Young People, sponsored by Kingswood Learning Leisure: 

Diddy Rugby
JBS Martial Arts
MD Warriors
Inspire2Coach (The Shrewsbury Club)
Wrekin Riders BMX Club 

Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by MGP Accountants:

Jeanette Griffiths (Shropshire Parent and Carer Council)
Robyn Hughes (Hoo Farm)
Sue Dewhirst (CRY)
Keiran Edwards (Wrekin Riders)
Elizabeth James (Synergy Dance Troupe) 

Business providing Activities for Young People, sponsored by Ed Bagnall Photography:

Headstart
Jungleland Telford
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Silhouette Dance
Shropshire Kids Festival 

Children's Product, sponsored by Memo Office:

Simply Magical Photography
Bellini's Box
Special Additions
Excitim
Fidget Pie (Kidstrapp) 

Shropshire Nursery/Pre-School, sponsored by Park Inn by Radisson:

ABC Day Nursery
The Bears Den Preschool
Honeybuns Nursery Telford
Tiddlywinks Ltd
Puddleducks Under Fives 

Shropshire Franchisee, sponsored by Vehicle Glass Conversions - Shropshire:

Baby Ballet
Little Kickers
Baby Sensory Ludlow
Sing and Sign
Musical Steps 

Business Providing Activities for Under Fives, sponsored by University Centre Shrewsbury:

Shropshire Kids Festival
Chatty Chinese
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Musical Steps
Baby Ballet

PICTURE  Sally and Stephen Johnson collecting the award for the 2016 BCA Children's Charity from Steff Parker, representing Beaumont Lawrence.