Eton College manager wins Sodexo Foundation Merit Award

Ian Mort, from Eton, has won this year's Sodexo Foundation Merit Award for the outstanding commitment he has shown to the organisation of charity events including Eton College's annual golf day, which raised over £5,000 this year alone.

Mort, Sodexo's general manager at Eton College, was presented with the award by the company's UK and Ireland chief executive, Yann Coléou, in front of 350 guests at the Sodexo Foundation's annual dinner in London.

Introduced by Sodexo corporate affairs director, Phil Hooper, as a 'long-term, tireless supporter' of the STOP Hunger campaign, Mort was selected for the award for his sustained contribution to Sodexo Education's yearly fundraising target; raising more than £35,000 for charity in the past seven years.

In addition to organising the annual golf day for 40 players, which requires him to co-ordinate a three-course gala dinner and secure auction prizes from suppliers, Mort also supports the college's own charity activities by running a food and beverage stall at Eton Action's annual fundraising day.

Mort commented on his achievement: "The award was a complete surprise. I knew I'd been nominated but didn't think for a minute I would win. When we organised the first golf day we had no idea it would become so popular, but it's gone from strength to strength. My assistant, Geraldine Woodman, has been instrumental from the start, as have many of our suppliers and all our staff at Eton. It is thanks to their efforts that the day continues to be such a success."

Also recently winning an accolade is Andy Bailey, from Beverley, who has won the Sodexo Foundation's Charity Champion Award, after helping to raise more than £30,000 during a year which saw him run 1,000 miles in six days.

Sodexo corporate affairs director, Phil Hooper, described Bailey as being someone who had 'gone far beyond the call of duty' in his approach to fundraising.

Weblink: www.sodexo.com 

Words: Maria Bracken

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