Two BIBAs wins for Viva clients  

Double celebrations in September as Pendleside Hospice and Cherrytree Bakery are both winners at the Lancashire Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs).

The hospice was awarded the Community Business of the Year award while Cherrytree Bakery was crowned Medium Business of the Year.

The BIBAs are Lancashire’s longest-running business awards, run by the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Pendleside Hospice

Staff at Pendleside Hospice celebrate winning the prestigious BIBA Community Business of the Year award

Staff resilience and determination during the pandemic helped the hospice scoop the Community Business of the Year award.

The prestigious accolade recognised the way the hospice adapted to survive during the pandemic, when it was forced to halt all face-to-face fundraising and close its ten charity shops.

The win, announced at a ceremony at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, saw Pendleside presented with a trophy and £2,000 prize.

Pendleside chief executive Helen McVey was delighted with the recognition which she said was a reflection of the hard work of all those involved with the hospice, whether they be staff, volunteers or fundraisers.

She said: “When Covid-19 hit in March 2020, we had to really think on our feet to ensure we could continue to offer our vital services to the community, while also saving money and safeguarding our future.

“We’re so pleased that our hard work paid off and ensured patients and their families could continue to be supported during the most difficult times of their lives. Pendleside was built by the community for the community, which makes this award extra special.”

The hospice was forced to suspend face-to-face day services and family support during lockdown, moving them to virtual technology.

Within seven days of the pandemic hitting, the day service department was converted into an additional eight-bed unit, increasing its offer from 10 to 18 beds, which eased pressure on the crisis-hit NHS beds.

Extra staff were recruited and trained, including bringing back staff who had retired and lecturers from University of Central Lancashire. An increased number of patients were also supported by the Hospice At Home team.

Fundraising methods also had to be rethought, with new strategies drawn up and virtual events devised to bring in cash.

Pendleside Hospice continues to feel the effects of the pandemic. To find out how you can offer support, whether financially or by getting involved, visit https://www.pendleside.org.uk

Cherrytree Bakery

Martin Hargreaves (New Product Development Manager), Mark Beaumont, (Managing Director), Gary Entwistle (Founder and Executive Chair) and Lynne Entwistle from Cherrytree Bakery

The Burnley-based bakery team collected the Medium Business of the Year award at the glittering awards evening held at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.

Cherrytree Bakery was also nominated for Manufacturer of the Year.

Gary Entwistle, Founder and Executive Chair of Cherrytree, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have been awarded a BIBA and to have been recognised in not one, but two categories.

“This award celebrates the whole team at Cherrytree Bakery and recognises their great achievements, hard work and attention to detail, especially after such a difficult period for businesses across the county.”

Cherrytree Bakery has also been selected as one of three national finalists for Bakery Manufacturer of the Year in the acclaimed Baking Industry Awards 2021, announced later next month.

Gary added: “To come home with a BIBA is a very proud moment and to bring home a national baking industry award for Lancashire would be the icing on the cake.”