The UK’s only digital television channel devoted to communities will broadcast The National Diversity Awards 2014 courtesy of Sky, on Sunday 21st December at 11.00pm
Join Brian Dowling and Cerrie Burnell to celebrate the Best of British Diversity over the festive season. The glittering ceremony will be aired on Sunday 21st December at 11pm, Boxing Day at 10.00pm and 30th December at 21.00pm on The Community Channel.
Role models and charities flocked to the lush Hurlingham Club on the brink of the River Thames on September 26th, to honour Britain’s most inspirational people for their fight against inequality.
Over 21,000 nominations and votes were received this year paying tribute to grassroots communities nationwide. Microsoft were just one of the brands supporting a skyfall of diversity talent – positive role models, community organisations and businesses from the LGBT, ethnic minority, age, gender, religion and disability communities.
Big Brother star Brian Dowling expressed his delight ‘What an incredible evening! Once again The National Diversity Awards amazed me; Bringing together people from all walks of life and standing out as the equality event of the year!’
The evening was kicked off by founder of the NDA’s, Paul Sesay; Sesay discussed the importance of the National Diversity Awards and spoke about what inspired him to create the ceremony. As passionately as ever, Sesay said “It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain’s unsung diversity heroes, I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year.” The ceremony, without a doubt, delivered on that promise.
Activist and Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, a patron for the awards, then let the audience know why the awards were special to him “It is a huge honour to be a patron of the National Diversity Awards, which does such outstanding work to promote, empower, profile and acknowledge organisations that are pioneering amazing initiatives on equality and diversity issues.”
Another highlight of the evening came when Stephen Sutton MBE was honoured with the Special Recognition Award, collected by his older brother Chris Sutton. There was not a dry eye in the building as guests were reminded of Stephen’s courageous efforts in raising over £4 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust while in his fight against the disease. Stephen lost his battle with cancer earlier this year but leaves behind him a legacy which will inspire many others to do amazing things in their lives.
Campaigners Jack Monroe and Adam Pearson joined ‘The Last Leg’ comedians, Alex Brooker and Adam Hills, as well as Paralympic medallist Ade Adepitan to recognise true diversity.
Tune in at 11.00pm on Sunday 21st December to find out which nominees took home the diversity gong of the year.
The National Diversity Awards will also be aired on Boxing Day at 10.00pm and 30th December at 21.00pm on the Community Channel, which features on Sky 539, Virgin Media 233 and Freeview 63.
For updated news please visit: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk