DOHA: Vodafone Qatar yesterday launched Grahame Maher World of Difference Award for social entrepreneurs with a £100,000 reward at stake for the winner of the humanitarian award.
Organised in honour of Vodafone's one of the inspiring leaders, Grahame Maher, all of the 1,500 current and previous World of Difference participants from around the world will be eligible to apply for the award, with one winner being selected each year.
The grand winner will receive the financial reward for funding of their charity so they can continue their work. The award will run for three years from 2011. The finalists will be flown in for a big award ceremony which will be held on November 2, the anniversary of Grahame's demise.
The Grahame Maher World of Difference Award has been established in memory of Grahame Maher, the late CEO of Vodafone Qatar.
Grahame pioneered the launch of the Vodafone World of Difference programme in New Zealand back in 2002. He then came to Qatar and successfully entrenched his vision of creating a "World of Difference" in 2008. Grahame Maher was a key figure in the success of Vodafone's worldwide operations before taking up the challenge of developing Qatar's second telecoms service provider.
Today, there are 20 Vodafone Foundations running World of Difference programmes across the globe, giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to be paid to work for a charity of their choice, making a real difference to communities and charitable projects at home or abroad.
"Grahame Maher truly believed that donating time, skills, and knowledge can be more powerful than simply donating money. Therefore, this award being it a tribute to such an inspirational, humble and visionary leader clearly supports Vodafone's aim and Grahame's belief in creating a better world," said John Tombelson, Acting CEO of Vodafone Qatar.
© The Peninsula 2011
