MPs and Lords vote Age UK ‘Charity of the Year’

This week Age UK was voted ‘Charity of the Year' at the ‘Dods Charity Champions Awards' held at the Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster.

The award, voted for by members from both the House of Commons and House of Lords, recognises charities who they feel deserve recognition for their successful campaigning work in Parliament.

Age UK was nominated by Margot James MP in recognition of a year that saw significant campaigning successes for the charity including the implementation of its General Election priorities (the end of forced retirement and re-indexing of the state pension to earnings). Key entitlements for older people were also protected in the Autumn Spending Review and cuts to adult social care were minimised.

Andrew Harrop, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at Age UK, who accepted the award, said:

'We are incredibly honoured to receive such a prestigious award in our first year. In the last twelve months Age UK has achieved some real successes in our campaigning work to improve the lives of people in later life.

'This year is throwing up equally weighty issues, from the social care crisis to the unfair changes to the women's state pension age.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with parliamentarians to face these challenges head on.'

Now in its eighth year, the Dods Charity Champion Awards provide a platform for the voluntary sector to pay tribute to parliamentarians. The awards help charities get their voices heard in the political arena with the aim of improving places and lives.

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Notes to Editors

1. More information on the Dods Awards, nominees and winners can be found at www.charitychampionawards.com
2. If you use the photo please credit Paul Heartfield - From left to right Gisela Stuart MP, Editor of House Magazine, Andy Harrop and Margot James MP.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Liz Fairweather
Telephone: 020 3033 1718
Out-of-hours: 07071243243