The prestigious National Eczema Society Awards recognize those who go beyond the call of duty to help and support people with eczema, those who work tirelessly on behalf of the Society and those who are an inspiration to us all with their positive outlook and determined attitude.

Each year the awards are hotly contested and we are amazed with tales of extraordinary achievements by ordinary people - 2010 was no exception.

Here we find out who scooped each of the coveted awards presented by Chairman Jane Watts and Chief Executive Margaret Cox at our AGM in November.

Special Thanks:  Primrose Wyborn and Vicky Robinson

This year Helen Lovegrove joined Jane to thank Vicky  Robinson & Primrose Wyborn for their immense contribution to the Society through the Christmas card project - to Primrose for setting it up 34 years ago and to Vicky for her work over the past 11 years.  We join Jane and helen in thanking and saluting you both.

Fundraisers of the Year: Friends of Paul Barnett

This year’s award goes to a team of individuals who were inspired to raise money for the Society in memory of their school friend Paul Barnett, by undertaking the renowned Three Peaks Challenge.

The team consisting of David Kieran, Rich Chan, Richard Dobson, Danny Lamond, Tom Maclean and Lindsay Russell - tackled Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in August 2010.

Together they raised around £2,000 for the Society by undertaking the challenge - a fantastic financial and physical achievement.

Team of the Year: The Lord Mayor’s Show programme sellers

A very different form of support team is recognised this year for its hard work, determination and ability to turn the streets of London into gold!

Under the leadership of ardent NES supporter Helen Lovegrove, a team of committed sellers (both old faces and new!) turn the world-renowned spectacle of the Lord Mayor’s Show into a golden fundraising opportunity on a yearly basis.

Despite enduring torrential rain and howling gales over the years, the team has never lost its enthusaism and, as a consequence, continues to raise thousands of pounds each year to support key services.

Young Person with Eczema: Gaelle Speight

At only 5 years old, Gaelle is already an ambassador for both her condition and the National Eczema Society. 

Having suffered from eczema all her life, Gaelle is quick to tell other children ‘I have eczema.  That’s when you feel dry and itchy.  You can’t catch it by playing with me though.’

Polite, spirited and helpful, Gaelle never complains about her symptoms even though she is often in a lot of discomfort, frequently battling against infections and allergic reactions.

Gaelle recently joined her mother, Magali Speight, on the campaign trail during National Eczema Week 2010 as she and her colleagues from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations visited over 160 GP surgeries, health centres, chemists, schools and shops, leaving behind a bumper NES information pack, including posters, patients’ booklets and those all-important helpline and website cards.

In a break from tradition we felt we had to mark the achievements of one particular family ater their fundraising efforts throughout 2010. 

When 6 year old William Dempsey developed eczema at 12 months old, his mum Alison didn’t know where to turn, until she discovered the National Eczema Society.  William’s sister Sally came up with the idea of designing and making bookmarks as a way to distract William from the itch, and the family soon hit on the idea of selling them for 50p each to raise funds for the Society.

Buoyed by the success of this venture, a raffle soon followed as prizes galore were donated by friends, family and William’s beloved Bolton Wanderers FC.  With raffle tickets selling like hot cakes, an event was the next logical tep at which to draw the winning names.  An evening of food and entertainment followed, adding significantly to the £100 made through bookmark sales.

Since then the family has also celebrated Alison’s mum Brenda Fox’s 70th Birthday with a huge gatherine of friends and family who were each asked to give a donation to the Society in lieu of a gift, and, between them have raised over £3,000 to support our work.