Suffolk Libraries shortlisted for national library awards

Two members of staff at Suffolk Libraries have been shortlisted for their work on a Christmas toy appeal which saw 2,500 toys being donated to children and families in need.

The Be Kind to a Kid appeal was run by Suffolk Libraries in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk in late 2023. All the county’s libraries acted as collection points for 2,500 donated new toys which were then passed on to over 20 local charities and organisations who then got them to families in need to ensure their children got an extra much-needed Christmas gift.

Fundraising and Partnerships Manager at Suffolk Libraries, Alex Downing, and Communications Manager James Powell have been shortlisted for their work leading the campaign in the Libraries Connected Awards.

The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of people working in public libraries, acknowledging excellence, and showcasing good practice. The awards are a reminder of the importance of libraries and the people who work in them, celebrating the variety of support they deliver on a daily basis. There are six categories with the toy appeal being shortlisted in the Children’s Promise category.

Bruce Leeke, Suffolk Libraries Chief Executive, said:

“It's fantastic that Alex and James have been shortlisted for this award. This recognition reflects how our whole organisation got behind the Be Kind to a Kid appeal and made a difference to thousands of children at Christmas. It sums up the ethos of Suffolk Libraries that having been approached with the idea for this appeal we used our creativity, commitment and community connections to make a success of the appeal.”

“We couldn’t have done it without BBC Radio Suffolk whose idea it was and the great support we had from organisations including Suffolk County Council, Advantage Angels, Realise Futures and many other local charities and organisations. Of course it’s really down to all the many generous people of Suffolk who donated the toys!”

The winners of the Libraries Connected Awards will be announced in June. Suffolk Libraries was also shortlisted under the health and wellbeing category in 2023.