Menphys demonstrated how charities can take a businesslike approach to supporting their communities - winning two regional awards in just over a week.

‍It won the Outstanding Contribution Award at the LeicestershireLive Business Awards at the King Power Stadium on October 26.

Presented by Iwan Thomas MBE, the Wigston-based charity was recognised in the category of Outstanding Contribution.

A packed room was on its feet to congratulate the team after viewing a video describing its impact over more than 50 years.

Eight days later, Menphys was at De Montfort University for East Midlands Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards.

The charity was shortlisted for Small Business of the Year, Outstanding Growth, and in the Excllence in Collaboration category for its partnership with Leicester Riders Foundation.

It won Small Business of the Year, with CEO Ian Caldwell telling an audience of more than 350 local business leaders that Menphys had 90 children registered pre-Covid - a number which has since risen to 1,500.

Judges praised the charity’s resilience, adding they were impressed by its innovation (partnering with the likes of the Riders and Caterpillar) in finding ways to support disabled children and their families.

Speaking after the second event, Menphys CEO Ian Caldwell thanked staff, volunteers, trustees, and supporters, adding: “Whilst Menphys is a charity, we also operate in a professional, businesslike manner to ensure our services are well run and sustainable.

“Recognition of this through the business awards and by the wider business community is so important to us.

“Many thanks to Laura Shephard and Kevin Routledge, at the Riders, and to Scott Knowles DL and the team at the Chamber for their support and for hosting the awards. 

“Thanks also to George Oliver and the team at 1284 for their advice and guidance.”

1284 supports Menphys with its corporate communications.