A teenager is among 12 women recognised for their achievements in the charity sector.

Charity Community Impact Bucks has announced the winners of the first Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards as International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world.

Vaibhavi Shah, 14, of DreamSai Milton Keynes was highly commended in the young charity woman of the year, with the award going to 23-year-old Georgia Grou, a health delivery officer at Wycombe Wanderers and Sports Education Trust.

Charlotte Lawrence, 23, attain project manager at Transitions UK was also highly commended in the category.

Shanthi Priyalatha-Wortmann, director, Women’s Cultural Arena, was named outstanding volunteer, an award that is given to those whose “volunteering efforts have made a significant difference to people’s lives”.

Shanthi is the “powerhouse” behind the Community Fridge in High Wycombe which supports families to access to food.

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She also coordinates the community allotments that supply additional fresh produce to the fridge users.

The outstanding leadership in the charity sector award was given to Aylesbury Women’s Aid’s director of services, April Benson, while Youth Concern’s chief executive, Hannah Asquith, was named trailblazer in the charity sector.

Katie Higginson, CEO of Community Impact Bucks, said: “By recognising the valuable contribution of just these 12 women today, we hope to inspire others to get involved in their communities too.

“From the 14-year-old starting out in her first volunteering role, to those who have dedicated themselves to helping others for decades, their stories show the how everyone has something to give and how many ways there are to get involved and make a difference in our communities.”

The judging panel was made up of women who all have experience of working with charities and communities in the county, and included former Amersham mayor Mimi Harker, chairman of Community Impact Bucks, and Rachael Shimmin, CEO of Buckinghamshire Council.

The full list of winners and runners-up

Outstanding Leadership in the Charity Sector – awarded to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution in her organisation, demonstrating inspiring leadership and the ability to motivate others to strive for excellence.

  • Winner – April Benson, Director of Services, Aylesbury Women’s Aid: April has led the development and delivery of innovative programmes for women and girls, raising awareness of domestic abuse and leading AWAID as CEO since 2019. She has continued to inspire in this role, leading the charity through the pandemic and lockdowns with determination and expertise.
  • Highly commended – Caroline Bennett, Director of Fundraising and Communications, Pace
  • Highly commended – Charlie Powell, Co-Founder & General Manager, Lindengate Mental Health Charity

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Trailblazer in the Charity Sector – awarded to an individual who has stepped up and personally achieved or contributed to huge impact and results, through enterprising, innovative and ground-breaking initiatives.

  • Winner – Hannah Asquith, Chief Executive, Youth Concern: Hannah has demonstrated a real pioneering spirit and great courage to drive innovation in her first year as CEO of Youth Concern. Joining in March 2020, she faced two challenges; how to do things differently in order to deliver our vital person-centric service in the face of COVID restrictions and, as a brand new CEO, how to establish the effective working relationships needed to take stakeholders with her on that journey.
  • Highly commended – Sheila Bees, Director, Grow Together
  • Highly commended – Rebecca Bennett, Volunteer Director, Open House Micklefield CIC & Hills Café

Outstanding Volunteer – awarded to an individual who has displayed great commitment and whose volunteering efforts have made a significant difference to people’s lives.

  • Winner – Shanthi Priyalatha-Wortmann, Director, Women’s Cultural Arena: Shanthi is the powerhouse behind the Community Fridge in High Wycombe which supports families to access to food. She also coordinates the community allotments that supply additional fresh produce to the fridge guests weekly.
  • Highly commended – Fiona Phimester, Volunteer Fundraiser, MacMillan Cancer Care
  • Highly commended – Sue Severn, Chairman, Watermead Parish Council

Young Charity Woman of the Year – awarded to an individual aged 25 years or below who demonstrates exceptional talent and potential, displaying the skills and capabilities required to deliver great work and make a significant impact.

  • Winner – Georgia Grou, Health Delivery Officer, Wycombe Wanderers and Sports Education Trust. Gee’s passion is for mental health and empowering people to achieve their potential; she also coaches the charity’s disability sessions and voluntarily leads a local women’s football team.
  • Highly commended – Charlotte Lawrence, Attain Project Manager, Transitions UK
  • Highly commended – Vaibhavi Shah, DreamSai Milton Keynes