Robert Burns Humanitarian Award

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is a globally-respected honour bestowed annually on a group or individual who shows selflessness and dedication in a bid to save, enrich or improve the lives of others through the protection and promotion of human rights and work to deliver social reform.

Nominations for 2025 have now closed.

Named in honour of Scotland's son, Robert Burns, this much sought after humanitarian award applauds the efforts of people who bring hope and inspiration, often in desperate situations, and help change lives for the better.

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Gail Penfold - 2024 Winner

The 2024 winner is Gail Penfold.  Gail lives in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and has been an avid volunteer, fundraiser, and campaigner in the community for five decades.

Read more in our press release.

View information on the 2024 finalists.

About the award

As Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns is celebrated as a pioneer of his generation, with his dynamic vision inspiring the founders of socialism and liberalism. The humanitarian values he embraced in his short life are captured for eternity in his rousing world famous works which are now his legacy. Burns' work continues to inspire people from all walks of life and in all corners of the globe.

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is supported by South Ayrshire Council. The winner receives a specially commissioned award handcrafted in Scotland and the equivalent of 1759 guineas - a sum which signifies the year of the Bard's birth and the coinage in circulation at the time - equating to £1,800 in today's currency.

Burns is one of Scotland's favourite icons, encapsulating the very essence that makes Scots Scottish. More information about how to celebrate Burns' Day and the life of the Bard himself can be found at www.scotland.org/burns