The Pennies Awards 2026 are open for nominations, recognising the merchants, partners, charities and individuals helping to turn small donations into big impact across the UK.
On Tuesday 7th November, Pennies 4th Annual Awards took place at Pennies' annual Autumn Celebration 2023. This year's awards recognised outstanding achievements in the world of micro-donations over the last 12 months, which have made a significant impact on charitable causes.
Pennies Autumn Celebration 2023
Pennies held its annual Autumn Celebration Event this year on Tuesday 7th November 2023. Hosted for the fourth year by BBC news presenter Sally Bundock, and supported by FreedomPay, the event was attended by partners from across the micro-donation movement and was also available to join virtually.
This year’s event included insights from many leading retail and hospitality decision makers, who shared their experiences in incorporating generosity into their businesses and achieving success with Pennies.
Pennies 4th Annual Awards
One of the highlights of the evening was the 4th Annual Pennies Awards. Pennies works with innovative, passionate and socially-driven brands who each help unlock and amplify the micro-donation movement; broadening the opportunities for consumers to donate a few pennies when they shop and socialise, for causes and communities around the UK and internationally.
The Pennies Awards are a chance to highlight those partners and individuals who have gone above and beyond to make micro-donations matter. The winners were selected by an independent panel of industry leaders in retail, hospitality, payments, and technology. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists:
Social Impact Award – Technology Partner
Finalists:
- Worldpay
- Lightning E-Com
- Global Payments
- Wirebox
Winner: Worldpay
Social Impact Award – Merchant Partner
Finalists:
- The Entertainer
- Outdoor & Cycle Concepts
- Fanatics
Winner: The Entertainer
Social Impact Award – New Partner
Finalists:
- Well Pharmacy
- Booths
- GENE
- Central Co-op
- Vision Express
Winner: Well Pharmacy
Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Karen McHendry
Winner: Jackie Laing
Winner: Steph Kershaw
Outstanding Achievement Award
Winner: Poundland
(collected by Catrin Hale and Moira Thomas)
4th Annual Awards Judging Panel
We extend our gratitude to our 2023 panel of judges who had the task of selecting this year’s award recipients.
This year’s judges were:
- Roger Alexander (Chair), Non-Executive Director, Portfolio
- Angela Luger, Non-Executive Director and Chair, Portfolio
- Andy Wood OBE DL, Chief Executive Officer, Adnams plc
- Matt Atkinson, Non-Executive Director, Portfolio
- Paula MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, PizzaExpress
- Liz Williams, Former Chief International Operating Officer, Papa John’s International
- Clair Preston-Beer, Managing Director – Local Pubs, Greene King
- Michael Green, VP – Head of Northern Europe, Databricks
- David Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Dobbies Garden Centres
Start Your Pennies Journey
Contact us today and become part of the Pennies family, where every micro-donation adds up to make a positive difference for charities across the UK and beyond. Let’s work together to make every penny count.
Read more from Pennies.
Celebrating Progress: Pennies Awards 2026 Open for Nominations
The Pennies Awards 2026 are open for nominations, recognising the merchants, partners, charities and individuals helping to turn small donations into big impact across the UK.
Pennies wins Community and Social Impact in Retail award at the Retail Systems Awards 2026
Pennies is proud to have won the Retail Systems Awards 2026 – Community and Social Impact in Retail award, recognising our partnership with B&Q and Verifone. Together, we embedded effortless giving into the checkout experience, raising £1 million in under five months to support Shelter and the B&Q Foundation.
The Entertainer Raises £4 Million for Four UK Children’s Hospitals Through Pennies Partnership
Britain’s largest toy retailer, The Entertainer, has raised £4 million for four leading UK children’s hospitals through its long-standing partnership with micro-donation charity Pennies. The milestone means Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Bristol Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity have each received more than £1 million to support vital care, specialist equipment and family services.
So proud of you Steph x