A heart-breaking video featuring real life stories from celebrities and the public created for Child Bereavement UK scooped the grand prix trophy at this year’s Charity Film Awards.
Announced at a black-tie gala at etc.venues 133 Houndsditch, RSPCA, NSPCC and Breast Cancer UK also won awards at the event hosted by actor and comedian, Sally Phillips.
The winning film deals with a subject that many people find unbearable to contemplate: the untimely deaths of parents and children.
Yet in the UK, 111 children are bereaved of a parent, and 21 babies, children and young people under the age of 18 die every day.
#OneMoreMinute was created to change the stigma around death by raising awareness of the needs of bereaved families; highlighting the benefit of support; and tackling taboos about death and bereavement.
As a result of the film, visits to Child Bereavement UK’s website more than doubled and calls to the helpline increased by 78%. Thousands of people shared their own ‘One More Minute’ messages and videos across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, LinkedIn and the digital channels of others, including national media.
Whilst fundraising was a secondary aim the charity received almost 300 donations. The public can still donate at https://childbereavementuk.org/get-involved/donate/.
Jane Keightley from Child Bereavement UK told The Rooftop:
Child Bereavement UK is thrilled that our #OneMoreMinute film has been recognised by these prestigious awards. Entering the Charity Film Awards has given #OneMoreMinute a second lease of life and renewed energy on social media, bringing in new followers, increasing awareness and engagement, and creating many new conversations about bereavement.
Above all, we are delighted for the bereaved children, young people and parents who volunteered to share their experiences of the impact of bereavement on their lives, and to whom we are indebted for this film.
Winning at the Charity Film Awards has been a fantastic way to further raise the profile of the need for bereavement support.
Celebrating the charities use of video, the Charity Film Awards winners were chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of expert judges, with more than 50,000 members of the public voted for their favourite charity films.
Simon Burton, co-founder of the Charity Film Awards, commented:
The Charity Film Awards celebrate how charities use video, whether for fundraising, raising awareness to change behaviour. The films that won this evening are stunning examples of modern charity communications. We had over 400 charities enter the Awards and it is a great achievement for all those charities who made it through as Finalists. Congratulations to all the winning charities.
To see the all the films please visit www.CharityFilmAwards.com/videos/finalists
Image: Splento