UNICEF AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEDERATION HONOURED AT BT SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS 2015

UNICEF and the Commonwealth Games Federation received the Leadership in Sport Award, sponsored by Nolan Partners, at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2015 on Thursday 30th April to 1,750 of the sport industry’s most influential figures and sporting celebrities.

Comedian, actor and proud UNICEF ambassador, Eddie Izzard presented the Award to UNICEF and the Commonwealth Games Federation who received a standing ovation from the crowd for their ‘Put Children First Appeal’ which raised £5 million at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

After a heartfelt appeal from James McAvoy and Sir Chris Hoy during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, more than 500,000 text donations from the UK public were made via text – a fundraising first – raising millions of pounds to change the lives of children in desperate need of help across the Commonwealth.

Accepting the Award on behalf of UNICEF and the Commonwealth Games Federation, David Grevemberg, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “People said it has never been done before. To be honest, that doesn’t matter. If it’s the right thing to do we need to go and be daring. Honesty is the new bold, we put it out there and really tried to make the difference.”

UNICEF Ambassador, Lord Puttnam, who joined David Grevemberg on-stage, added: “Nobody said why? Everybody said why not. That’s all it takes. That’s exactly what happened here, and now here we are! We learned a lot.”   

Mirroring UNICEF and the Commonwealth Games’ fundraising achievement at the Glasgow 2014 opening ceremony, the packed room at Battersea Evolution in London was encouraged text to donate to UNICEF’s UK Children’s Emergency Fund for children the Nepal earthquake victims, raising over £10,000. You can still donate to the UNICEF UK Children’s Emergency Fund by texting 'Nepal' to 70707 or by clicking here.

The Leadership in Sport Award, sponsored by Nolan Partners was created to recognise the significant need for strong, responsible leadership within sport, rewarding the individuals or organisations who have proven themselves in their chosen field Previous winners of Leadership in Sport Award, sponsored by Nolan Partners include Sir Ben Ainslie, Paul Deighton, Sir David Brailsford and Sue Campbell.

Other highlights include 20-times champion jockey and lifelong Arsenal fan, AP McCoy who rounded off his first week of retirement by accepting the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award, sponsored by CWM Cyclone Promotions, from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and racing broadcaster Clare Balding.

Alongside AP McCoy was Sir Keith Mills who took home the Barclays Lifetime Achievement Award for his success across the London 2012 Games, the America’s Cup, Sported and Invictus Games, amongst many other roles in the last 15 years that have led to a major and lasting impact across sport. Prince Harry gave a special video message to Sir Keith Mills and the 1,750-strong crowd at Battersea Evolution before Lord Coe and Sir Ben Ainslie handed over the coveted trophy.

For the full list of BT Sport Industry Awards winners visit www.sportindustry.biz/winners