Annemiek has been designing and launching innovative charity lotteries with a social mission for the past 28 years, raising a staggering €7.9 billion (£6.8 billion) for good causes in the process. In England, Scotland and Wales the People’s Postcode Lottery has raised close to £240 million since 2005, with over a quarter of funds going to support wildlife and environmental charities thanks to Annemiek’s firmly held belief in the vital importance of nature to society.

The Charles Rothschild and Miriam Rothschild medal was awarded to Annemiek by The Wildlife Trusts’ Chair, Rene Olivieri at a special event at the Mall Galleries at which The Wildlife Trusts thanked a number of its supporters.

The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, said:
"Charles Rothschild in the first part of the 20th century and then his daughter, Miriam, after him worked tirelessly to save wildlife from needless destruction. Miriam also helped teenagers orphaned by the Holocaust, taking them into her home. So it’s fitting that we award this medal to Annemiek, someone who has similar energy, a vision for the future and a passionate dedication both to our environment and to today's refugees. By building an enterprise that works to create a better world she has been a powerful driving force, over many years, in raising billions of pounds for thousands of charities and social initiatives worldwide. She has always understood that the environment underpins a healthy society, and that it is not separate from the key challenges we face globally, but is in fact intrinsic to human life. We are delighted to formally recognise and celebrate her outstanding leadership.”

On presenting the medal, Rene Olivieri The Wildlife Trusts’ Chair of Trustees, said: “Annemiek values The Wildlife Trusts’ work for the benefit that it brings not just to wildlife, but to people too. Her personal backing has enabled a wide range of inspiring initiatives to become a reality: educating schoolchildren about wildlife in Forest Schools across England and increasing the amount of time children and their families spend outdoors; helping to bring beavers back to Scotland after a 400 year absence; supporting communities and wildlife in Wales against the threat from a new motorway in the Gwent Levels. The list is impressive - and the positive impact in communities across the UK is immense.”

On accepting the award, Annemiek said: “I'm proud and honoured to receive this award from The Wildlife Trusts. The fact that we are losing our precious wildlife and habitats saddens me but also makes me more determined than ever to change this. By supporting The Wildlife Trusts and other nature conservation organisations we can help promote an alternative future for our beautiful countryside and can keep our precious wild animals and people thriving. Inspiring the next generation to love the wildlife they have and help to bring more it back into our lives is critical. I’m pleased to support The Wildlife Trusts’ Forest Schools which are doing just this in some of the UK’s largest cities”

The Rothschild medal is awarded by The Wildlife Trusts to individuals for outstanding achievements for wildlife and people in one or more areas: policy, research, promotion, collaboration, fundraising and innovation.