Secret Hamper based in Maldon has been shortlisted for the Heart Of Gold award at this year’s Small Awards.
Now in its seventh year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates the nation’s 5.5 million small firms.
Secret Hamper was founded in 2016 by Nigel Richardson after being inspired by a Co-Op Christmas ad provides a platform for others to perform an act of kindness with their extensive hamper range. It has been chosen as one of just eight finalists for the Heart Of Gold award that recognises the small businesses that have a special impact on their local community, and by working with other small businesses, local charities, schools, local councils, or their local residents have achieved great things.
With eleven different categories, the Small Awards celebrate the dynamism and resilience of the UK’s small business sector, across everything from sustainability heroes, to digital stars, to long-standing family businesses.
“The Small Awards is all about celebrating the incredible small business owners who are at the heart of the economy and communities,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain “They are an opportunity to recognise and applaud the passion and tenacity of the nation’s small firms, particularly during such turbulent times. Secret Hamper should be incredibly proud of being shortlisted for this award and we can’t wait to celebrate with them in May.”
‘’Since launching Secret Hamper we have raised in excess of £10,000 for local charities, support and champion over 40 fellow local Essex businesses by including and promoting their amazing products in our Essex hamper ranges and with our not for profit #ThankYouNHS hamper initiative delivered over 750 hampers to 10 hospitals UK wide with in excess of 40,000 locally sourced treats being shared amongst tens of thousands of NHS staff helping to raise morale and show those that care for others we care’’ said Nigel Richardson. ‘’Being shortlisted for Heart Of Gold award is very humbling and recognition of the power of the positive impact an act of kindness can have on someone else’s life.
‘’This couldn’t have come at a better time for Secret Hamper as we relaunch our #ThankYouNHS campaign to celebrate our NHS’s 75th Anniversary this year. Our 11th hospital, Leeds General Infirmary has been nominated by the inspirational Kim Smith, a 4 limb amputee after developing sepsis. Kim is using our hamper campaign to encourage others to pay it forward and thank our NHS heroes at the hospital where she hopes to receive a life changing double hand transplant later this year, all whilst raising awareness for sepsis in the hope to save a life. Full details can be found on our website www.secrethamper.com/nhs-70 ‘’
Judged by a panel of industry experts, the winners of all categories, along with the overall winner of Small Business of the Year, will be announced at a glittering awards night in London on 18 May 2022.
This event follows the incredible return of the in-person Small Awards ceremony last year, which had been held online during the pandemic. The ceremony will this year be held at St Mary’s church in London, with plans underway for a night of entertainment, inspiration and celebration for UK’s greatest small businesses.