CHARITY

Sarah Driver-Jowitt, Facing The World

In 2003, Sarah Driver-Jowitt was employed by a group of UK craniofacial surgeons who had established Facing The World, a charity offering reconstructive facial surgery to children from poor countries. [One of the founders of which was cosmetic surgeon Martin Kelly, husband of Californication star Natascha McElhone. Tragically, Martin died of heart failure last year, although Natascha continues to work with the charity.]

Driver-Jowitt’s office was her bedroom. As for job security? ‘We had £5,000, donated by the founders, and once that ran out I was on my own,’ says 35-year-old Driver-Jowitt. ‘I needed to raise any further funds myself.’

Seven years on, not only does Driver-Jowitt raise nearly £500,000 a year, but she’s involved on a personal level with every one of the 39 children who have so far had their lives transformed by the charity.

Driver-Jowitt’s role is about far more than fundraising and coordinating medical procedures. ‘Surgery is the tool with which we change people’s lives, but the biggest thing is never the physical change, it’s that they become confident young people,’ she says of her charges.

What’s astonishing is that the organisation consists of just Driver-Jowitt and one administrator. ‘I’m incredibly proud of the fact that we’re a small charity,’ she says. ‘But most of all, I’m proud of the kids. It’s an honour to do my job, and I’m lucky enough to be a part of their journey.’ facingtheworld.net

What the judges said:
Safia Minney: ‘We were looking for someone who had made a huge difference in terms of poverty alleviation, and Sarah is incredibly proactive in what she’s doing.’
Jane Shepherdson: ‘Sarah’s really been the driving force behind the charity. She’s the passion behind it and the person who’s kept it going.’