Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou recently announced the winners of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2024. The event took place in central London and marked the 16th year of this prestigious award ceremony.
The awards celebrate the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have excelled in their fields. This year, three inspiring individuals were recognised for their exceptional contributions and resilience.
Introduction of the Award Ceremony
Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou recently announced the winners of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2024. The event took place in central London and marked the 16th year of this prestigious award ceremony.
Top Winner: Cedric Bloch
Cedric Bloch, the CEO of Brigit’s Bakery, took home the top prize. Known for its famous afternoon tea London sightseeing bus tours, Brigit’s Bakery has become an iconic part of London’s culinary scene.
Cedric Bloch’s Resilience and Innovation
In 2021, Cedric suffered a spinal injury that left him paralysed from the chest down. Despite this, he has shown incredible resilience by continuing to grow his business. He introduced the first wheelchair-friendly sightseeing bus and plans to use the £100,000 prize to create the first electric-powered 1960s Routemaster bus.
Bloch’s Reaction
Cedric expressed his immense gratitude, saying, “I feel truly blessed to win this award. Being disabled, we are used to dealing with challenges and difficulties. This prize will help me future-proof the business, solidifying the company’s position and guaranteeing jobs for the long term.”
Second Place: Amelia Peckham of Cool Crutches
Amelia Peckham, who secured the second place, founded Cool Crutches after a quad bike accident in 2005 left her reliant on mobility aids. She and her mother developed comfortable, colourful, and customisable crutches and walking sticks.
Amelia Peckham’s Future Plans
Amelia plans to use the £60,000 prize money to expand into new markets. Her focus is on making their products more accessible and improving the quality of life for those who need them.
Amelia Peckham’s Gratitude
Amelia shared her thoughts on winning, “To win this award is a serious career highlight. These awards celebrate all the incredible value disabled people bring to business and challenge outdated stigmas in the best way.”
Third Place: Debra Cartlidge’s School of Sign Language
Debra Cartlidge won third place for her work with the School of Sign Language and The White House Deaf Specialist. Despite being told she would never amount to anything, Debra has achieved remarkable success.
Debra Cartlidge’s Journey
Debra juggled multiple jobs while learning sign language and raising a family. Her School of Sign Language supports the deaf community, and she plans to use the £40,000 prize to develop a Deaf College for post-16 education.
Debra Cartlidge’s Mission
Debra stated, “Winning this award is not just a personal achievement, but also a testament to the incredible journey my amazing staff team have been on together! We will continue to inspire and empower others to believe in their dreams and strive for a more inclusive future.”
Sir Stelios’s Contribution and Commitment
Since the awards began in 2006, Sir Stelios and his foundation have donated £1,500,000 to recognise exceptional achievements of disabled entrepreneurs. This year, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation also donated £20,000 to Leonard Cheshire to support the awards.
Sir Stelios’s Recognition
Sir Stelios stated, “We’re proud to honour Cedric, Amelia, and Debra today. These are three stand-out examples of how disabled entrepreneurs are blazing the trail for others and inspiring more disabled people to start their own businesses.”
Leonard Cheshire’s Commitment
Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, added, “We are committed to making sure that we not only recognise but celebrate the voices and achievements of disabled individuals. This year’s applicants have shown remarkable business skills and unwavering resilience, reflecting a thriving community of disabled entrepreneurs in the UK.”
The 16th year of the Disabled Entrepreneur Awards has once again highlighted the remarkable achievements of disabled individuals. These awards not only celebrate success but also challenge outdated stigmas and inspire a brighter, more inclusive future.
As Sir Stelios and Leonard Cheshire continue their commitment to recognising and supporting disabled entrepreneurs, the future looks promising for more trailblazers to emerge and make their mark in various industries.