Whizz-Kidz’sRuth Owen awarded Charity Leader honour

Ruth Owen OBE, Chief Executive of disabled children’s charity Whizz-Kidz, has won Charity Leader of the Year at the Charity Staff Foundation Awards, held last week in London.

Ruth was recognised for her leadership and health innovations in driving forward disabled children’s wheelchair services across the UK, including the charity’s ‘Child in a Chair in a Day’ model.

Ruth Owen said, ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to receive this prestigious Award. Thank you very much to all of the judges. I have a fantastic and committed team around me at Whizz-Kidzand together we are determined to reach the 70,000 disabled children and young people who are still waiting for the right equipment to lead active and full lives.’

The Charity Staff Foundation Awards celebrate the outstanding dedication andachievements made by charity staff and volunteers across the UK, and were held at RBS Headquarters, Bishopsgate, London. The Charity Staff Foundation is the only charity providing dedicated support to people who work or volunteer in the charity sector.

Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children and young people with vital mobility equipment, opportunities to meet and have fun, and training to help them gain skills and look forward to a bright future. However, it estimates there are over 70,000 young disabled people around the UK who lack the right mobility equipment for them, and are missing out the chance of a childhood.

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To find out more contact Rob Dyson, Whizz-Kidz Public Relations Manager on or 020 7798 6103.

Notes to Editors

  • Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of over 18,000disabled children since 1990 - often literally overnight. The charity estimates there are still over 70,000 children in the UK waiting for the right equipment to fit their young lives.
  • The right wheelchair and mobility equipment is not automatically provided on the NHS. Whizz-Kidz aims to work where possible with local NHS services, and aims to ensure that much-needed improvements are made in delivering wheelchair services for children in the UK.