YWCA Yorkshire Celebrated at Doncaster Chamber’s Business Awards
YWCA Yorkshire was chosen as the President's Charity at the recent Doncaster Chamber Business Awards held on Thursday 11 December. On the night, generous eventgoers raised an incredible £7,843.96 to support Doncaster families.
The prestigious annual awards ceremony brought together hundreds of people working in businesses and third sector organisations across South Yorkshire. The Awards celebrated the innovators, makers, start-ups and employers across the city, and the 2025 President’s Charity accolade recognised the vital work of YWCA Yorkshire’s team who support 161 families in Doncaster and deliver services in Rotherham and Sheffield.
YWCA Yorkshire delivers a range of vital housing and wrap-around support to local families through Green Gables in Doncaster, Peile House in Sheffield and Fleming Gardens in Rotherham. In Doncaster, the expert, compassionate and inclusive team provide safe accommodation and one-to-one support for young parents and children living in five houses and eight self-contained flats, as well as supporting 65 more families in their own homes.
YWCA Yorkshire work with some of the most vulnerable families in Doncaster; families living in poverty, parents and children fleeing domestic abuse, and young people navigating parenthood whilst also recovering from their own trauma, abuse and exploitation. Last year alone, YWCA Yorkshire supported 88 people out of YWCA Yorkshire accommodation and into their own tenancies, 42 people to access training or education and 10 people into paid employment in Doncaster.
YWCA Yorkshire was chosen as the President’s Charity by Fabian Braithwaite, Doncaster Chamber President and Managing Partner at HSR Law Solicitors, following a visit to the Green Gables service earlier this year. The President was deeply moved to hear first-hand about the charity’s life changing support when talking with staff and families supported by YWCA Yorkshire.
Of the accolade and the Chamber’s donation, YWCA Yorkshire Green Gables Project Manager, Stacey Lynn, said: "We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of the Doncaster business community. Being the President's Charity was an incredible opportunity for us to raise awareness of the issues facing our communities and to make new friends with businesses and people who really care about delivering positive impact locally. The money raised will make a tangible difference in the lives of the vulnerable families we support every single day. A huge thank you must go to the Chamber team, especially Fabian Braithwaite for choosing our charity to celebrate and raise funds for and to Jade Dyer, whose organisation of the prizes and lucky dip meant we raised an incredible £7,843.96 for our families.”
YWCA Yorkshire received further recognition by being shortlisted for the ‘Charity of the Year’ award, sponsored by Clean N Bright, and awarded to an incredible local charity; Active Fusion.
The ceremony was attended by YWCA Yorkshire Chief Executive Diane Offers, Finance Manager Louise Dack and Fundraising Manager Sophie Barnett. The substantial funds raised by Doncaster Chamber underscores the deep commitment by Chamber members to support local causes.
Local businesses and providers who would like to learn more about the vital work of YWCA Yorkshire and opportunities to partner to support local families, can contact YWCA Yorkshire Fundraising Manager Sophie Barnett: sophie.barnett@ywcayorkshire.org.uk