Healthcare excellence gets royal approval
A YORKSHIRE nutritional consultancy has been recognised by Prince Charles for its outstanding commitment to improving the health of schoolchildren across the UK.
Harrogate-based Purely Nutrition, run by Sorrell Fearnall and Dr Jennie Cockroft, joined major organisations including energy giant Scottish Power and Manchester Airport when it was put forward as a national ‘Example of Excellence’ in Business in the Community’s (BITC) Power in Partnership Award.
The award acknowledges companies that are positively impacting on their community through collaborative action.
Purely Nutrition beat off strong competition from around the country and is one of only two companies from the region to be put forward for national recognition.
Key personnel from the company attended an exclusive garden party at Clarence House and had the opportunity to discuss the work they do with HRH The Prince of Wales.
The accolade acknowledges the achievements of Purely Nutrition’s PhunkyFoods programme, which operates in 550 primary schools across the UK and teaches children about healthy eating and the benefits of physical activity through fun activities including drama, music, crafts and games.
Subsidised by a high-profile food industry consortium comprising Northern Foods, Nestle UK and US giant Cargill, the programme helps schools to achieve the Government’s National Healthy Schools Status (NHSS).
Sorrell Fearnell, Purely Nutrition’s managing director, said: “Being recognised as leading the way nationally underlines the powerful impact PhunkyFoods has beyond the school gates. It was fantastic to meet Prince Charles and explain to him what we’re achieving.
“Now in its fourth year, our educational resource blends seamlessly into the curriculum. Its wide ranging benefits also include the fact that it is affordable within the education sector, and is profitable for schools to run.”
Stephen Howard, chief executive of BITC said: “In the current economic climate it is fantastic to see so many strong examples of businesses that recognise the benefits, both social, environmental and to their bottom line, of being a responsible business.”
