Bristol-based ERIC, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting children with continence problems, has won the Small Charity, Big Achiever award at the national Third Sector Excellence Awards.
The award recognised ERIC’s Banish the Wee Horror campaign, which raises awareness of bedwetting, encouraging children and parents to contact ERIC for information and support.
Judges said it made fantastic steps to engage the public in a subject difficult to talk about. The campaign, now in its third year, reached thousands of families increasing calls to ERIC’s helpline by a third and website visits by a fifth.
The campaign has received celebrity backing from Oscar-nominated actress Julie Walters, Oxo mum Lynda Bellingham, Children’s TV star Floella Benjamin, Buffy and Little Britain star Anthony Head and TV medical experts Dr Chris Steele and Denise Robertson.
Speaking after collecting the award at a ceremony at London’s Lancaster Hotel, ERIC director Jenny Perez said: “ERIC has been recognised on a national platform with some of the biggest names in our sector. This award not only recognises the work we’ve been doing to raise awareness of childhood continence problems, it provides another opportunity to put the spotlight on ERIC.
“Many families suffer unnecessarily and in silence with childhood continence problems but a call to our 24-hour helpline can provide vital information and support to overcome or manage the problem. We continue to work hard to raise awareness of these issues which affect one in 12 children and young people in the UK. Being recognised by a top industry body is a great boost to the team.”
The Third Sector Awards showcase the biggest achievements within the charity sector and are judged by a panel of industry experts.
The ERIC helpline number is 0845 370 8008.
