Last week, courtesy of the lovely people at Ecover, I had my first ever experience of an Award’s ceremony!
The Observer Ethical Awards no less.
So after frantically organising childcare, someone to go with (thankyou Emma!), and something to wear (more on this to come…) this little Make Do and Mender set off for London…
And then she missed the train.
Yes, I really did.
But we managed to get on the next one, and all for a mere £30 extra…. Grrrrrrrrrr!
Anyway. We made it up to London with no further misadventures, and even found our way to the very impressive One Marylebone

Photo source: One Marylebone
and were ushered inside to hobnob with the Great and the Good. I got to stand about a foot away from the very lovely Ben Fogle in some very red trousers whilst I was getting a drink 🙂 Lenny Henry was there to accept his Lifetime Achievement award for all his work with Comic Relief, but he had cunningly disguised himself with a beard and some glasses, so I would never have recognised him. AND Colin Firth was there with his lovely wife Livia, Queen of the Green carpet.
I have no pictures to confirm that I was actually ever in the same room as all these people, I was far too self-conscious to be snapping away-blogging fail-sorry.
But as the Awards started, it became clear that these were no typical celebrity-centric awards, they were very much about recognising and celebrating the work that is being done, every day, by (extra)ordinary people. People who do what they do, because they feel it is the right thing, the only thing to do. That good business really can be Good business. And that we are all responsible for our own small piece of this wonderful planet, and that we should all be doing what we can to make it a better, fairer place to live.
It was hugely inspiring and heart warming to know that there really are so many people out there not only trying to make the world a better place, but actually doing it too.
So, from me, in true Awards style…a huge thankyou to everyone involved:
to the fabulous Lucy Siegle for recognising the need to acknowledge and award those campaigning for a better world 8 years ago, and doing it so brilliantly ever since;
to Ecover for very kindly giving me the tickets and supporting the Awards;
and most importantly, to each and every one of the Awards winners, (not forgetting the brilliant people on the Short-lists) for showing us all that it can be done. It is possible to live a life, run a business, make a difference, just by caring about doing it right.
The full list of Awards and winners is here-go and have a look, and be inspired.
You don’t have to be a celebrity or a multi-millionaire to make a difference. You just have to care.
Oh I do love ecover… Which reminds me – what have you been doing about washing up liquid, washing powder etc? Surely this is a necessary exemption from your rules?!
It is indeed. Although attempting some homemade washing powder and dishwasher detergent has been on my list for a while now. REALLY must try it soon 🙂
I’m planning on getting the good WI ladies of Potterne making washing powder/dishwasher powder and upcycled satsuma bag scrubbies if you could hold on until the waste watching session on July 8th! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Oh yay, fab! Can’t wait. Really must get organised myself 🙂
Why didn’t Colin Firth get a ‘lovely’?!! I think I may have been rather overcome if I’d been in the same room as Mr Darcy…
Some interesting winners. I’m glad to see Malala Yousafzai received an award. She’s incredibly courageous and not much older than my eldest daughter.
Gosh, yes. Poor old Col-the only one without a lovely! Hubby keeps telling me I use that word too much..!!
As you say, great to see Malala get an award-a truly courageous young lady.
Looks like a fun time! I’m going to check out the winners when I get a mo.
It was good thanks Sarah. My first (and probably only) experience of anything like it!
Sounds like it was a swell event! Did you get a chance to network?
Not at all-far too intimidated…!
Everyone at Petit Miracles loves you. Keep it up!
That is so kind-thankyou!
Pingback: Off track… | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: Cucumber Pickle | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: Giveaway! | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: Summer Reading List… | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: The Year that Was | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: The Great Energy Race | My Make Do and Mend Year
Pingback: And the Winner Is…. | My Make Do and Mend Year