Homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust has won the TFN Scottish Charity of the Year 2009.

The charity was amongst five organisations honoured at the annual TFN Scottish Charity Awards, which were presented on Thursday at the Mansfield Traquair Centre in Edinburgh.

Bethany Christian Trust, which was set up 25 years ago in Edinburgh’s Leith, picked up the top award after judges were impressed with its innovative approaches to supporting homeless people, delivering services in partnership with other charities, and continuing to develop and grow its social businesses to ensure a sustainable future for the charity.

Bethany Christian Trust chief executive Iain Gordon said: “I am delighted Bethany has won Charity of the Year in the TFN Awards. It is very encouraging to have our work commended, especially at such a time as this, when the need for our services is greater than ever.

“This accolade gives a real boost to staff and volunteers as they continue to help hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people throughout Scotland every day.”

The charity was awarded one of five specially commissioned awards from Edinburgh artist Scott Irvine at the awards dinner, attended by the minister for housing and communities Alex Neil and representatives from the third sector as well as public and private sector supporters.

RNIB Scotland’s work to increase blind and partially sighted people’s right to higher levels of Disability Living Allowance across the whole of the UK was rewarded with the Campaign of the Year award.

This is the third year in a row that RNIB Scotland has picked up an award, testament to its place as one of the most innovative and successful Scottish volutary organisations.

John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “We are absolutely delighted that RNIB has won the Third Force News award for campaign of the year.

“Engaging directly with the public, as well as politicians, was key to our campaign’s success in winning higher mobility rate allowance for people with severe sight loss. The TFN award is something of a gold standard among Scottish voluntary organisations and it is a great honour to win again this year.”

Edinburgh’s Nari Kallyan Shangho picked up the Community Action Award for its health and welfare project. The charity provides much needed support to South Asian women in Scotland.

It provides education and training opportunities and health projects helping to combat, amongst other things, the above average risk of heart disease amongst South Asian women.

Major David Noble was this year’s Charity Champion in recognition of 20 years volunteering for a selection of veterans charities, including PoppyScotland and Veterans Scotland.

RSPB Scotland and The Famous Grouse picked up the Partnership Award after the judges were impressed with their work to promote the conservation of the black grouse alongside the launch of the whisky’s company’s new Black Grouse brand.

The TFN Scottish Charity of the Year Awards 2009 had some of the highest caliber entries since the awards were launched three years ago.

Susan Smith, TFN editor, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s awards. The winners and shortlist reflect the breadth of excellent work being done in Scotland’s voluntary sector.

“The judges were delighted to see that this year Scotland’s charities are responding to increasing demand for services with such creativity and innovation.”

the winners are:

Charity of the Year:
BETHANY CHRISTIAN TRUST
Sponsored by Class Telecommunications

Campaign of the Year:
RNIB SCOTLAND (Disability Living Allowance Campaign)
Sponsored by Danwood Scotland

Charity Champion:
MAJOR DAVID NOBLE
Sponsored by Digital

Partnership Award:
RSPB SCOTLAND and THE FAMOUS GROUSE
Sponsored by CCLA