Awards
Our Charity Chairwoman Leigh Yates has been awarded a British Empire Medal 2018.
Leigh moved from London to Porthleven in 2010 and initially joined the PTA to “make new friends”. She told them ‘she didn’t want to get too involved, just help out at events’. Nine years later and Leigh has raised over £500,000 for Porthleven School.
Leigh is dedicated to all 260 pupils and for some, her input has been life-changing. Leigh ensures inclusivity by uniting every family to attend events and become involved, including the children, who Leigh encourages to help fundraise.
One of Leigh’s most positive impacts on the school was securing funding from the Armed Forces Community Grant for £70,000, used to fund a multi-use sports facility – where football, netball, running and climbing is available. Many of the children using the facility did not engage with sport before this was built.
The school also had an empty classroom and a need for an art and cooking facility. Leigh persuaded Interserve to donate a £30,000 pupil kitchen. She fully equipped the kitchen and pupils are taught healthy cooking, with parents invited to participate too. This facility has changed the way children view food and healthy living. Leigh even persuaded a Michelin star chef to come in and cook with the children.
Nominated by: Charlene Price
Awarded to our chairwoman Leigh Yates for services to education of behalf of HRH Queen Elizabeth.
Our Charity Chairwoman Leigh Yates has been awarded Pirate FM’s Local Heroes Award for The Fundraiser of the Year 2018.
Introducing our multi award winning chairwoman,
Leigh Yates BEM, BCa
