Alcohol Education Trust secures £3k prize

The Alcohol Education Trust, a charity that works across the UK to teach children about safe alcohol consumption, has come runner-up in the 2016 GSK Impact awards.

The AET currently reaches around 500,000 children a year with its Talk About Alcohol programme (Photo: Wiki)

The AET is set to receive a cheque for £3,000 at the award ceremony taking place at the Science Museum in London on 12 May.

The charity works in schools, youth clubs and sports clubs across the UK reaching an estimated 500,000 children a year to educate them about alcohol.

It is the first time it has entered the GSK Impact awards, which is run in partnership with the Kings Fund to recognise charities that work to improve health in the UK.

Just 20 charities were selected from an entry of 400 hoping to be shortlisted for the 2016 awards.

The Alcohol Education Trust underwent a “rigorous audit and assessment” before judging took place in January, it said.

Helena Conibear, director of the Alcohol Education Trust, said: “For a charity of our youth and size to be runner up in the GSK Impact awards is an amazing accolade.

“Established as a charity in 2010 our Talk About Alcohol programme now reaches 500,000 children a year through the 1400 schools, youth clubs, sports clubs and charities across the country that we support.

“We are a small team and this would not have been possible without the commitment of our staff and trustees.”

Before the May award ceremony, the AET will be the beneficiary of a special tasting and fundraiser in Dorset on 18 March.

A trio of award-winning wine producers from Dorset will be hosting a tutored tasting of their sparkling wines at Bridehead in Little Bredy by invitation of Sir Philip and Lady Catherine Williams.

Steven Spurrier (Bride Valley vineyard), Justin Langham (Langham Wine Estates) and Rebecca Hansford (Furliegh Wine Estate) will talk about how they came to plant vineyards in Dorset and how their wines have won accolades when pitted against Champagne and other sparkling wines from around the world.

The tutored  tasting will be accompanied by Dorset produce including local cheeses, charcuterie and other delicacies. There will be also be an exhibition of works from Dorset artists.

The evening will begin at 7pm, with tickets priced at £25 to include the tutored wine tasting and food.

To learn more about the work of The Alcohol Education Trust, visit www.alcoholeducationtrust.org or email helena@alcoholeducationtrust.org.