creative design, marketing & public relations

 Press Release

24 November 2014 

Inspiring Devon Businesswoman/Cyclist goes through to Nationals

Caroline Bramwell, Managing Director of Barnstaple-based The Olden Group PR & Marketing and Green Soda Graphics, was announced ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year' on Friday night at the glamorous NatWest Venus Businesswomen's Awards held in the Great Hall at Exeter University.

With over a 1,000 nominations and applications for the Venus Awards categories, the Devon Venus Awards are now in their second year and have been dubbed the Working Women's Oscars. Caroline's achievement was in recognition for how she overcame the debilitating disease, Ulcerative Colitis (UC) with major surgery five years ago and has embraced new challenges by taking up 24hr cycle events and triathlons. By her words and actions others have been inspired to cope with their own conditions. Caroline is a co-founder of an online cycle club, Team SOS, which formed to inspire others to take on new challenges and fundraise for worthy causes. Cyclists from around the world ride in the Team SOS colours, designed by The Olden Group, from the UK to Switzerland and Trinidad & Tobago. The riders connect via Facebook to share their experiences and camaraderie - www.facebook.com/TeamSOScc

Said Jonathan Smith, Leadership Development Manager for Devon & Cornwall Police, who was one of the judges for this Award: "All the finalists were inspiring women and all are winners. However, the judges had to select only one person and felt Caroline to be a worthy winner and truly inspirational, both in reading the application and in talking to her. She has battled with UC including having major surgery. She has bounced back strongly from this and has not let these difficulties limit her in anyway.

"She is running her own company, does cycling fund raising and undertakes some of the toughest sporting challenges as part of this. She set up and runs Team SOS, which influences people from all over the world and integrates fundraising into her business' way of working. Thank you Caroline for all you do and the wonderful way you inspire others."

Caroline will now attend the National Finals of the Venus Awards in January.

- Ends -

(picture caption: Jonathan Smith presents Caroline with the Venus Award for Inspirational Woman of the Year - Devon Region.)

Further editorial enquiries:

Caroline Bramwell

The Olden Group

21 High Street

Barnstaple

Devon EX31 1BG

t. 01271 375393

e. caroline@theoldengroup.com