Awards celebrate young Camden campaigner for disabled people - Camden Rise

Today, on the International Day of People with Disabilities, local charity Elfrida Rathbone Camden is launching a new annual awards scheme to commemorate the memory and legacy of Catherine Capaldi.

Catherine (pictured above in 2015), a former member of Camden Youth Council and The Hive Camden’s Youth Board, was a tireless campaigner for access and inclusion in Camden, who fought to raise awareness of the issues affecting young disabled people.

She passed away late in 2019 and Elfrida Rathbone Camden has created the Catherine Capaldi Awards to highlight and celebrate the achievements of individual disabled people.

The Catherine Capaldi Awards (for entrants from Camden and London-wide) are open to anyone who identifies as a disabled person and who has an idea or solution to break down a barrier faced by disabled people or to improve their access to services, inclusion or community participation. The first winners will be announced on 30 March 2021 and, as well as a cash award, the prizes will include support to develop and promote the best idea and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Alexis Keir, Director of Elfrida Rathbone Camden, said: "Catherine was quietly immense in all that she did in Camden. We miss her hugely but I'm so glad that in celebrating her legacy we have a chance to promote and support the things she was passionate about: access, inclusion and enabling disabled people to achieve and succeed."

Find out more:

• The Catherine Capaldi Awards
• Tribute page to Catherine