A huge congratulations to FP Olivia Strong who recently received her MBE after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020 in recognition of her role as Founder of the NHS fundraising campaign ‘Run for Heroes’. The ceremony, which was delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, took place at Windsor Castle on the afternoon of February 1, 2022, where Olivia received her medal from Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne.
2011 leaver Olivia Strong, alongside other Former Pupils, Alice Taylor and India Pappalardo-Strachan, set up a social media fundraising challenge during the first national lockdown, urging people to run 5k, donate £5 to NHS Charities Together and then nominate 5 other friends to take part. The ‘Run for Heroes’ campaign quickly took off, smashing their initial fundraising target of £5,000 in just 4 days. The campaign has now raised over £10 million for NHS Charities Together, during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Olivia Strong Encouraging Participation in Viral Fundraising Campaign
After deservedly being awarded a Points of Light Award from Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2021, Olivia has now been made an MBE, being named in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020 for “services to Fundraising during Covid-19.”
“Sometimes it’s the smallest ideas that have the biggest impact”, Olivia wrote on her LinkedIn after receiving her award. “My advice? Never be afraid to take that first step. You might really surprise yourself!”
We are so proud of you Olivia!