Press Release - 26 May 2005

QED-UK nominated for National Award

has been nominated for a major prize, at The Charity Awards 2005, the charity sector's most prestigious award scheme. The charity, which campaigns for better community relations by supporting economic development of disadvantaged south Asians groups, has been short-listed in the Research, Advice and Support category and is hoping to pick up the coveted award at a glittering awards ceremony in London on 16th June. The annual Charity Awards ceremony is the most high profile event on the charity world calendar. The awards recognise excellence in the management of charities, acknowledging the outstanding work and achievements of all charities, big or small, from across the UK and the tireless commitment of the people behind them. This is the sixth year that the awards have taken place and QED sits in illustrious company on the shortlist alongside RNID, Age Concern and the Samaritans.

The Charity Awards judges have recognised the excellent work of QED has undertaken in economic integration of over 400 new arrivals to the United Kingdom supported by Jobcentre Plus. If it does win its category, the charity could also pick up the overall award for excellence in charity management - a prestigious award given to the best of the category winners, won last year by year by RNID.

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, founder and chief executive of QED said 'We are delighted to have been short listed for the prestigious award; it is a great achievement for a small Bradford based national charity and shows how far we have progressed in 15 years.'

The Charity Awards 2005 is organised by Charity Finance magazine, the leading business publication for the voluntary sector. The distinguished panel of judges includes David Harker OBE, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Ian Allsop, Editor of Charity Finance magazine, Cedric Frederick, Chief Executive of PentaHact, Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the Red Cross and Maeve Sherlock OBE, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council.

Daniel Phelan, organiser of The Charity Awards 2005 comments: 'As the role of the voluntary sector grows in importance, particularly its increasing role in the provision of public services, it is vital that charities work together to maximise this effect. We have worked hard this year to recognise and reward charities that have forged creative and collaborative working partnerships that have an exponential effect on the success of their campaigns. By being short-listed, QED has already demonstrated that they are among the best-managed charities in the UK and I wish them luck on the night.'

As well as the awards to charities, the judges will also make a special award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to excellence in charity management.

For more information about QED please contact: Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, Chief Executive on 01274 483267 mob 07812 010928 ( m.ali@qed-uk.org)

For more information about the Charity Awards 2005 please contact: Laura Davis or Sue Beeby at Origin Communications on 020 7377 9911 E-mail: laura@originuk.com