Law firm Ramsdens is used to winning awards – but its latest accolade has very special meaning.

The firm, which has offices across Kirklees and Calderdale, has received the Adrian Sudbury Award from the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust in recognition of its long-standing support of the charity. The prestigious award is given in memory of the Examiner journalist who lost his life to cancer in 2008.

Adrian was an inspirational speaker at the trust’s fundraising Hollywood Ball in 2007 when he spoke openly about his illness.

He spent his final months leading the “Sign Up For Sudders” campaign to raise awareness of bone marrow donation and fight to have young people educated on the issue in schools and colleges.

The award was presented by the trust’s Pam Thornes and Helen Mervill to Sinead Sopala, director of marketing at Ramsdens, who has donated hours of her time to helping the trust as a mentor and advisor.

Adrian Sudbury at 10 Downing Street
Adrian Sudbury at 10 Downing Street

Ramsdens has raised many thousands of pounds for the trust with events such as sponsored cycle rides and Christmas donations.

Pam said: “We are delighted to give this award to a very special lady and the company she represents. They are always at the forefront of fundraising for lots of charities. It doesn’t matter how difficult the task, Sinead ensures her team are committed and embrace every challenge – and she is always in the thick of it!

“We are very privileged that over many years this lady and her colleagues have massively supported the work of the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.”

Sinead said: “This award means an awful lot. It’s absolutely amazing because it isn’t often people stand up and say thank you. The trust is a very easy charity to support because they do fantastic work helping so many kids nationally and in our own region.”

The award follows a big boost for the trust – with the news that a leading businessman and a top cricketer have been recruited as ambassadors.

Yorkshire cricketer Alex Lees and Richard Paxman, managing director of Fenay Bridge-based scalp cooling systems company Paxman, will help to promote the trust and its work.

Alex Lees (right), pictured with Andrew Gale

Richard is acknowledged for his work in helping cancer patients retain their hair during chemotherapy while batsman Alex leads his Hit Cancer for Six campaign to raise awareness of youth cancer among the cricket community.

The trust funds research into cancers affecting 13 to 24-year-olds and also funds support in hospitals to improve the quality of life for young cancer patients who often face loneliness and social isolation.

The Paxman scalp cooler was developed by the Paxman family after Sue Paxman, Richard’s mum, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sue passed away in 2000 but her legacy lives through the Paxman scalp cooling system, which is now a world-leading hair loss prevention system for chemotherapy patients used by over 100,000 patients in 32 countries.

Alex, Yorkshire’s captain for one-day cricket this summer, lost his father Simon to a battle with cancer in 2011.

Said Pam: “It is a real honour to have Richard and Alex on board as ambassadors. They are two very busy gents in their professional lives. Both have sadly witnessed a parent’s horrendous battle against cancer and we are delighted they are willing to join our fight.”