Lecturer and fundraiser celebrated at prestigious Good for Me, Good for Me Awards

A Walsall College lecturer and charity founder has won an award for her exceptional fundraising in support of families affected by tragedy while also raising awareness of safe travel abroad.  Suzanne Richards MBE was named joint ‘Individual Fundraiser of the Year’ and Overall Winner in the second annual Good for Me Good for FE awards.

The awards recognise the incredible volunteering and fundraising contributions made by staff and students from further education colleges across the UK.

In 2015, Suzanne founded Smile for Joel to help bereaved children and families.  This was after the Tunisia terrorist attack where her son, Joel, father, Pat and brother, Adrian lost their lives.

“This is such an honour for me, as well as for the college’s students and staff—past and present—who have supported Smile for Joel and all that it stands for,” said Suzanne.  “College communities like ours do a lot of brilliant work to promote togetherness, tolerance and compassion.  I hope our efforts will inspire others to become ambassadors for positive change, helping to create brighter, better futures for all.”

Suzanne received the awards in recognition of her resilience and transformative fundraising initiatives which this year have seen her raise £35,000 so far.  This has been through events such as the Row for Joel dragon boat race at Himley Hall and Park near Dudley in May and the Run for Joel park race at Sandwell Valley Country Park in June.

Walsall College students took on marshalling duties at Run for Joel and have also fundraised on campus.  Their activities include hosting a Travel Smart pop-up travel agent in the summer and a recent Winter Wonderland event.

Money raised has provided wellbeing support to bereaved children and families as well as helped to increase participation in sporting activities among disadvantaged young people.

The Good for Me Good for FE awards, sponsored by NCFE with prizes provided by FE Associates, highlighted the exceptional impact of the Good for Me Good for FE campaign. Since its launch in 2021, the campaign has united 150 colleges nationwide, generating millions of pounds in social value through volunteering, fundraising, and foodbank collections.

The awards ceremony was hosted in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords by The Baroness Barran MBE, who praised the FE sector’s contributions, saying: “Each finalist is incredibly inspiring and extremely deserving of this national recognition. Huge congratulations and thank you to you all.”

Speaking at the event, Dr Sam Parrett CBE, co-founder of Good for Me Good for FE and Group CEO of London South East Colleges, said:  “These awards showcase the incredible impact of the FE sector in supporting its communities and generating social value. The contributions of our students and staff are a powerful reminder of the difference we can make together.”

For more information about the Good for Me Good for FE campaign and the extraordinary work happening across the FE sector, visit www.goodformegoodforfe.co.uk