A BROMSGROVE charity which offers breaks for children from underprivileged backgrounds has been judged to be one of the best in the UK after being shortlisted for a Rural Business Award.
Dodford Children’s Farm will battle it out against fellow rural charities, entrepreneurs and enterprises from across the region for a place at the national final.
The regional final will be held virtually next month and the national final taking early next year.
Dodford Children’s Farm was established in 1950 by a school doctor and Lucy Cadbury to provide breaks for youngsters in inner-city Birmingham. It still offers countryside retreats to children from underprivileged backgrounds and special schools from all over the Midlands along with family holidays on a referral basis.
The awards, in partnership with Amazon, celebrate the achievements of rural businesses and develop a strong network for their owners.
Dodford Children’ Farm manager Kelly Broadfield said she was delighted to be through to the regional final.
“We were runners up in 2018 so we are hoping this time we will go all the way.
“We have done so well as a small charity to survive the pandemic and still be here for those children who need us more than ever now.”
Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, Jemma Clifford, added: “We are excited to celebrate the 2021/2022 awards after such a challenging year for businesses.
“We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where rural businesses can develop, and this starts by showcasing the great work they do.
“On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, we want to say well done to Dodford Children’s Farm and wish them luck ahead of the regional finals.”
The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.
The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories – ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Innovation – decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
The Rural Business Awards is hosting a series of regional finals in the North, East, Midlands, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland, throughout October 2021, ahead of the National Final next February.
Visit dodfordfarm.co.uk for more on Dodford Children’s Farm and ruralbusinessawards.co.uk for further details on the Rural Business Awards.
