Winning PR campaigns: Lorraine Lewis, The Lewis Foundation

Helping to bring cheer – as well as 2020 essentials like hand sanitiser – during lockdown this year was The Lewis Foundation with their self-isolation packs for COVID-19 campaign.

Highly recommended in the Best Cause-led Influence Campaign category at this year’s Online Influence Awards, The Lewis Foundation’s work provided much-needed comfort and practical help to those struggling while self-isolating. Co-founder and CEO Lorraine Lewis takes us through the aims of the campaign and the need to reach out and help others this year.

How did it feel to be highly recommended in your category?
It was amazing to be recognised for our work during lockdown. The campaign was of importance to us as it was about supporting patients being treated for cancer who were self-isolating at home.

People could not go out to get items they needed to help pass the time and provide comfort. It made a real difference to people knowing that others cared about them to do this.

What was the original brief for the campaign?
To provide self-isolation gift packages to adult cancer patients who were shielding at home. The gifts were to not only help pass the time, with items such as puzzle books and craft sets, but also included hand sanitisers, hand creams and toiletries that people needed and struggled to get hold of. The aim was to provide support to people who had to shield due to being vulnerable.

What most excited you and your team about it?
Seeing people surprised at receiving a gift, which was not expected, for free. It helped to lift people’s spirits at a really scary and uncertain time.

What do you love most about working on campaigns like this one?
Knowing that the work you are doing is making a real difference to people in our community, who need support but are often not discussed. It helps to highlight the need to reach out and support others.

How important are influencers for campaigns like this?
Extremely important. You can use your platform to highlight issues in our society that people are often not aware of and inspire people to get involved in your mission to make a difference.

What have been the main challenges for your team this year?
Not being able to fundraise in the way we normally would has meant we have to adapt and be creative in how we get gift items and funds. However, our community – individuals, schools and businesses – have rallied around to help us keep going by fundraising, donating and providing gifts.

What have been your highlights of 2020?
Seeing a real sense of community spirit, with people reaching out in whatever way they can to help support others in need. We have loved seeing kindness to others.

Check out more winning campaigns from the winners of this year’s Online Influence Awards: Zero Waste Scotland’s ‘Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way’ and Flourish Management x Topshop SNO.