Here is a picture of Neil and myself and Pudsy bear. BBCs, Jackie Bird is presenting us with an award of £87,000 on behalf of Children in Need to help deliver on the growing opportunities that are coming our way as we work with children and families in the church and the community. Most of the funding is to appoint a full time worker to join our team which is already establishing family links in the community and even beyond.

It was interesting to see that Jackie was also presenting at the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards on Wednesday. I was delighted to accompany my colleague Willie MacPherson who was one of those nominated in the category of social entrepreneur of the year. Willie in my book deserved to win. He has been an outstanding Executive Director of the Vine Trust and has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to many people to become involved in our work. Ah well Willie we can’t win them all, but in many ways you are a winner to have achieved such recognition.