A Proud Moment for Locate International

Today, Locate International was recognised as Highly Commended in the Small Charity of the Year category at the Third Sector Awards 2026.

To say we were delighted would be an understatement. The charity sector is facing enormous challenges. In the same week as the awards, we saw the heartbreaking news that two charities had been forced to close their doors. Across the sector, organisations are navigating increasing demand, rising costs and difficult decisions about how to continue delivering their services. Against that backdrop, simply being shortlisted felt like a privilege.

The atmosphere in the room was one of solidarity, resilience and determination. Charities of every size were represented, each working to make a difference in their own way. 

We were particularly pleased to see representatives from the RNLI recognised and celebrated. In a week when the organisation had found itself at the centre of public debate, the overwhelming feeling in the room was one of support and gratitude. When the room rose to applaud them, we rose too.

That moment felt especially meaningful for us, as when Locate International was first imagined, our co-founder Dave Grimstead often spoke about the RNLI model. Based in Cornwall, he witnessed the principle behind it: skilled volunteers, united by a common purpose, stepping forward to help complete strangers. The idea that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they care enough.

Years later, sitting in the room today, it felt like a reminder of why Locate exists in the first place. We may be a small charity, but we are powered by something remarkable.

We have no paid members of staff, and everything we achieve is delivered by volunteers.

Every investigation. Every family conversation. Every appeal. Every media interview. Every governance meeting. Every referral review. Every social media post. Every fundraising idea. Every certificate request. Every late-night piece of research. All of it.

Which is why this recognition belongs to our volunteers - it belongs to those who joined because they had time to give. It belongs to those who somehow found time despite not having any. It belongs to those who came to us because of a personal connection to missing or unidentified people. It belongs to those who arrived simply because they wanted to help.

It belongs to the retirees and the students. The former detectives and the first-time volunteers. The genealogists, researchers, academics, communicators, lawyers, analysts, collectors, historians and specialists. It belongs to those who work quietly behind the scenes and those who stand in front of cameras. It belongs to the people who have been with us since the very beginning and those who joined only recently.

Most of all, it belongs to the people who believe that no missing or unidentified person should be forgotten.

Every person who has given their time, skills, expertise and compassion has helped build what Locate is today - this award is for you.

Thank you for believing in the mission and thank you for believing in each other.

Being recognised as Highly Commended Small Charity of the Year is something we will always be proud of, but the best part is knowing that there is still so much more to come.

From all of us at Locate International: thank you.