Tuesday 16 January 2018 Alumni Rob Cowen, Gareth Dunn and Daniel Gray are in the running for prestigious Yorkshire Choice Awards…and they need your votes. Voting closes on Friday 16 March. See a list of candidates and cast your vote Gareth Dunn (GSAL09) Gareth has been nominated in three categories: Local Fundraiser of the Year, Inspirational Individual and The Kate Granger Award for Outstanding Achievement. The 26-year-old was about to achieve his ambition of becoming an officer in the British Army when he was diagnosed with cancer. A talented sportsman with a passion for life, Gareth has been given a year to live, and he is on a personal mission to raise £100,000 for Cancer Research UK. He has already raised £54,000 through his own determined efforts and those of family and friends and he is confident that he can reach his target by the summer. Gareth, who has had a leg amputated below the knee and is fitted with a prosthetic running blade, has a hectic schedule in the coming months, including the Paris and London marathons in April, a trip to Nepal to hike the Annapurna circuit with his brother Rhys and the UK Ironman challenge in September. Rob Cowen (OL95) The journalist, award-winning author and company director has been nominated in the Independent Business of the Year category. Rob (pictured), who is the author of the prize-winning nature book Common Ground established Untold, a content marketing strategy and story creation agency, just over three years ago. The agency specialises in travel, food and drink and culture. Its aim is to bring brands to life through inspiring storytelling, building lasting, loyal relationships with new and existing customers. Rob said: “We understand how the art of storytelling works in a changing digital landscape. We know that shifting search and social algorithms mean brands need great content at the heart of their marketing offering. Uncovering, creating and sharing those stories – that’s what we do best.” Daniel Gray (OL92) Daniel has been nominated in the Local Fundraiser of the Year category. He is the chairman of PhysCap, a charity which is run completely by volunteers and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children suffering from severe physical and mental disabilities within the Yorkshire area. The charity, which was established in 1970, is the last resort for families who may have limited funds to buy specialist or therapeutic equipment for their children to help make their lives a little easier. It works closely with therapists, hospitals and local specialist schools in the area. Over the years countless families have been supplied with equipment ranging from touchscreen computer systems and adapted treadmills to electric buggies and specially adapted trikes. PhysCap also helps with funding for children who require both therapy and conductive education. Cast your votes online GSAL is also backing the nominations of Jo Dobson, a Year 13 student, and Barry Brindley, retired deputy head who still runs the GSAL Malawi Project. Find out more Alumni News
