The Sun and The Inverness Courier Win This Year’s Making A Difference Award

The Inverness Courier and The Sun have been voted this year’s Making a Difference award winners for their campaigns, ‘Build the Bypass’ and ‘Footie For All Fund.’

Coordinated by the News Media Association, Journalism Matters week aims to highlight journalism’s vital role in our society. The public is invited to view the local and national shortlists of campaigns and vote for their favourite.

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “The Making a Difference shortlist this year has highlighted the exceptional dedication from UK news brands, who have worked tirelessly to inform and engage the public.

“The Inverness Courier and The Sun can take great pride in their achievements. Their campaigns, ‘Build the Bypass’ and ‘Footie For All Fund,’ serve as prime examples of how journalism can effectively spotlight critical issues, demonstrating to us all the vital role of trusted, independent journalism. My congratulations to you both!”

The Inverness Courier launched their campaign ‘Build the Bypass’ following long-standing concerns over traffic, road safety and pollution. The campaign quickly gained traction, featuring in-depth interviews with residents, stakeholders and politicians. A pivotal moment came in May 2024, when the Courier organised a Build the Bypass public event in Nairn attended by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and leaders from Transport Scotland.

The Inverness Courier has remained unwavering in its commitment to the campaign, continuing to shine a light on the problems affecting their local community and maintaining pressure on government for progress.

The Sun launched its campaign, ‘Footie For All Fund’, in partnership with Tesco and charity, Groundwork, to help football clubs in crisis, after discovering that 94 per cent of grassroots clubs were concerned about the impact of soaring costs and falling participation from children.

The Fund appealed to clubs all over the country and has distributed more than £300,000 to teams from inner cities to rural communities, funding everything from children’s subscriptions to pitch rental fees, equipment and kit. As a result, some clubs have now been able to add girls’ teams and purchase new powerchairs for a disabled children’s football club.

With its partners, the Sun has since been able to expand the campaign, with the Activities For All Fund, supporting holiday clubs, including cricket, basketball, and dance – all to keep children active and support parents with the often-crippling cost of holiday childcare.