All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling is among the ten finalists in the Barclays Trading Places Awards which recognises people who are beating the odds to succeed in business.
Thirty-six years ago, Tom was returning from an overland journey to the Himalayas with three of his friends, when they became the victims of an armed robbery on the roadside in Iran.
One of his friends miraculously recovered from being shot in the head, but the bullet that ripped through Tom’s back left him permanently paralysed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair.
Tom, who comes from Liverpool, was a young reporter at the time and counted himself lucky that with the support of his family and friends, he was able to pick up the pieces and rebuild his life.
But he soon realised that apart from the physical and psychological challenges facing families affected by disability, the biggest obstacle was the lack of relevant and readily available information to help them.
Determined to do something about it, in 1983 Tom started a column in the Liverpool Echo called I Can Do That! specifically to address disability issues.
The column was an immediate success, becoming the Echo’s longest-running feature. In 1997 the paper decided to launch a new publication with the same name, and appoint Tom as editor.
Seven years later, I Can Do That! was finally closed for commercial reasons but Tom refused to give up on the idea.
He left the company and set up a new charity called All Together NOW! to produce a bi-monthly publication and on-line magazine covering health and disability issues.
With 60,000 copies distributed free to more than 400 outlets across the North West of England, All Together NOW! is also helping to raise awareness among the general public.
Copies can now be found in mainstream venues such as garden centres, museums, visitor attractions and libraries, as well as in hospitals and health centres.
Steve Cooper, chair of the judging panel and Managing Director, Barclays Business, said: “The Barclays Trading Places Awards are a celebration of people who, in spite of great personal challenges, have taken steps to establish a sustainable business and in doing so, changed the direction of their lives for the better.
“I congratulate Tom on becoming a national finalist and hope her inspiring story will prove to other people in Liverpool that self employment can be possible if you’ve got a dream and the guts and determination to succeed.”
Mark Prisk, Minister for Business and Enterprise, added: “I am delighted to have the chance to support the Barclays Trading Places Awards.
“These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of people who have set up their own business in difficult circumstances.
“The Government is committed to helping make the next decade the most enterprising in history. The Trading Places entrants are an inspiration to everyone and embody the best of the UK ’s entrepreneurial spirit. I would like to congratulate all those involved and wish you the greatest success for the future.”
Barclays will present the overall winner with a cheque for £10,000, and the runner-up with £5,000 for their business at a prestigious black-tie gala dinner at The Savoy in London.
Awards supporters Microsoft and Yell will also be offering tailor-made packages for the 10 national finalists, including the latest business software and special multi-media advertising packages.
This year there is also a special award and a cheque for £3,500, courtesy of Barclays, for the Trading Places finalist whose business is helping local people by putting something back into the community.
Other awards partners include youth charity The Prince’s Trust, Leonard Cheshire Disability, the NFEA, Crisis, PRIME, the cdfa and the Community Channel.
