Yorkshire Business announced as finalist for Small Business Award

Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks based in Harrogate, Yorkshire has been chosen as a finalist for the Digital Star Award at this year’s Small Awards.

Now in its eighth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates the nation’s 5.5 million small firms.

Founded in 2006, Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks aims to empower those who need support to walk. With fun and stylish designs plus innovative design features to provide the most comfortable and safe experience for users, Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks’ products prevent painful injuries and frustrating limitations that often come with regular walking supports. The company was inspired by the founder’s experiences of using regular crutches following a spinal cord injury from a quad bike accident leaving her with a life-altering long-term disability at the age of 19.

It has been selected as one of just eight finalists for the Digital Star Award for best digital only business, which highlights small businesses that operate only through digital channels, using the internet to market, sell and promote their product and service. The award celebrates the strong use of digital channels to engage customers, innovation in web design and functionality, and growth in audience over time.

With eleven different categories, the Small Awards celebrate the dynamism and resilience exhibited in the UK’s small business sector, across everything from sustainability heroes to digital stars, to long-standing family businesses.

“The Small Awards is all about celebrating the inspiring small business owners who are at the heart of the economy and their communities,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain. “They are an opportunity to recognise and applaud the passion and resilience of the nation’s small firms, particularly amidst such turbulent times. Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks is extremely deserving of being shortlisted for this award and we can’t wait to celebrate with them in May.”

Amelia Peckham, Co-founder, commented: “Following a life-altering quad bike accident at the age of 19, I was inspired to set up Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks alongside my mother. We were determined to find a better solution to NHS crutches which caused severe hand blisters during my rehabilitation after I developed a spinal cord injury and long-term disability. Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks was therefore created to fill a space for practical and comfortable, yet stylish crutches and walking sticks to prevent the physical as well as mental limitations, pain and discomfort caused by normal walking aids. Our mission is to establish Cool Crutches as the UK's most innovative and empowering walking aid brand, and we are thrilled to be a finalist in this category!”

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the winners of all categories, including the overall winner of the Small Business of the Year award, will be announced at a splendid awards ceremony in London on 16th May, 2024.

The ceremony will this year be held at St Mary’s church in London, with plans underway for a night of entertainment, inspiration, and celebration for the UK’s greatest small businesses.