Local Cambridge charity Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is a finalist at the 2026 National Charity Today Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of the UK charity sector. The charity and its supporters have been shortlisted in five categories. This includes the People’s Choice Award, which is now open for public votes – but you only have until 12 October to show your support.
The official hospital charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, ACT has been shortlisted in five categories in the National Charity Today Awards: Fundraiser of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, PR Team of the Year, Charity of the Year and the People’s Choice Award. The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and pioneering research that helps change and save lives, above and beyond what the NHS can provide.
With the National Charity Today Awards widely recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the UK charitable sector, to be shortlisted is, says ACT’s Director of Communications & Impact Paul White, a real achievement. “We have a small team and this is testament not only to their skills, but also their dedication; they are incredibly passionate about everything we fund, from the pioneering research projects to the children’s play specialists. More than that, it gives well-deserved recognition to our fundraisers and volunteers, without whom none of this work would be possible. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all: our staff and our supporters are brilliant and these shortlistings recognise that.”
Vote for ACT in the People’s Choice Awards
In the running for the People’s Choice Award – decided by a public vote, open from now until October 12 – is Alfred’s Potato Day. Inspired by their 5-year-old son Alfred and the random ‘pet potato’ he found in hospital grounds during his 19-month treatment for neuroblastoma, parents Carla and Dave Johnson launched the fundraiser in his memory last November. Inviting supporters to place potatoes anywhere and everywhere – from skyscrapers to dance studios – the event invited donations from participants and captured imaginations the world over.
Crediting ACT-funded services such as play and laughter specialists with helping Alfred ‘smile through it all’, right up until his death shortly before his 6th birthday, the Johnsons hope Potato Day, which takes place on November 21 this year, will become an annual fixture.
You can vote for ACT in the People’s Choice Awards here.
ACT in the running to win Charity of the Year
Alongside the People’s Choice Award, ACT have also been shortlisted for four other categories, including the Charity of the Year. ACT has been supporting innovation in patient care at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals in Cambridge for three decades. In that time, its supporters have raised more than £150 million to fund everything from cancer research and a robotic surgeon to children’s laughter and play specialists. The charity is now supporting the development of two new hospitals, both set to revolutionise care in the East of England: Cambridge Children’s Hospital and Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.
The winners of the 2026 National Charity Today Awards will be announced at a gala final on October 14. Created to celebrate “organisations and individuals who demonstrate exceptional impact, innovation and dedication to making communities better”, the awards are sponsored by Sinclair Method UK and feature a rigorous judging process led by industry experts and sector leaders.
To vote for Alfred’s Potato Day in the People’s Choice Award, visit nationalcharitytodayawards.co.uk/peopleschoicevote.
You can also donate to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust at act4addenbrookes.org.uk/donate.