Volunteers celebrated at Folkestone awards evening
There were tears and laughter as Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh’s extraordinary volunteers were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at Hawkinge Community Centre last Thursday.
Dignitaries and community groups gathered to hear incredible stories of everyday heroism which highlighted the region’s unsung heroes. With more than 100 amazing entries submitted to The Excellence in Volunteering Awards – delivered by Kent Coast Volunteering – it was an incredibly hard task to select the finalists and winners, each who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their communities. Our five catergories include: Corporate, Governance, Groups, Individual Volunteers, and School/Youth.
Thanks to Mrs Susie Warran-Smith, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent who awarded the winners their trophies, host Rob Smith, judges and Folkestone and Hythe District Council for supporting the event.
GOVERNANCE CATEGORY: This category was open to everyone from trustees to school governors, members of Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), town councillors and magistrates.
WINNER: Trustees at
Folkestone Rainbow Centre who supports hundreds of individuals & families facing crisis, debt or hardship each year.
FINALISTS – Shuna is a trustee at
Caring Altogether (combating loneliness) on Romney Marsh – Shuna is an outstanding person due to her commitment, compassion and practical application. Emily Phillips is a full time administrator at
Freedom Leisure, but she volunteers in a Healthy Community Role with Together We Thrive, a programme that offers vital opportunities for SEND adults and children who wouldotherwise be excluded. From Rotary Clubs to park runs and sports teams, from volunteers providing Xmas dinner for care leavers and volunteer drivers taking people to essential medical appointments.
COMMUNITY GROUPS CATEGORY: From Rotary Clubs to park runs and sports teams, from volunteers providing Christmas dinner for care leavers and volunteer drivers taking people to essential medical appointments.
WINNER: The Romney Marsh Community Hub, which isopen to anyone over 50 and strives to help and improve people’s health and wellbeing Nominated by Volunteer Coordinator Gavin Hitchman who said: “I am continually impressed by the dedication and commitment of our team. Their contributions are vital to keeping the hub operational, providing essential services to individuals across the Romney Marsh area. They bring heart and soul to the hub, and it has been truly inspiring to witness such genuine care for the wellbeing of others. Over the past three years, our volunteer team has expanded, growing from approximately 55 members to more than 100 today.”
FINALISTS: Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team. The nomination said: They answer their ‘pagers’ at all hours of the night and day, 365 days a year, and on average over 200 times a year across the area.With up to 12 team members and incidents lasting an average of three hours(many are far longer) this adds up to 1000s of voluntary hours each year.
Action on Homelessness in Folkestone. This group is all volunteers and has been providing a hot meal for up to 100 homeless and vulnerable people in Folkestone for years. They provide a safe place, currently at Sunflower House, where people can meet each other, somewhere they know people car.
YOUTH CATEGORY:– This was open to young people and youth groups such as schools, colleges, cadet forces and youth clubs.
WINNER: Holly Kasinathan. Holly was nominated by Haydee Blaskett, a member of staff at
99 (Folkestone) Squadron RAF Air Cadets. Always impeccably turned out, Holly sets a high standard for those around her. She is driven by a genuine desire to ensure every cadet has the opportunity to get the most out of their experience. She took the initiative to coordinate and run a comprehensive first aid course, passing on her knowledge to younger cadets with enthusiasm and care. Holly is a natural leader and nurturer. She uplifts those around her, always making time to mentor and encourage fellow cadets, helping them to grow in confidence just as she has.
FINALISTS: The student council at
Brockhill Park Performing Arts College and also some individual students at the school. They were all nominated by teacher, Luke Haisell, who said: “All students willingly gave up their spare time to help others within the school community and beyond.”
Beacon Plus Community Café is cafe in Folkestone that is run by the students of the
Beacon Plus College. The café offers friendly, customer service, and is part of the community. – they catered this evening’s amazing food which was enjoyed by all.
CORPORATE CATEGORY: We were pleased with the engagement from companies this year. The nominations were all fantastic.
Nominated by employee Helen Wratham, who said: “As part of its Employer Supported Volunteering program, Eurotunnel’s colleagues volunteer for a number of organisations in the Folkestone &Hythe area including The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, The Fifth Trust, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and the Aspinall Foundation. Eurotunnel recognises its significant place in the Folkestone community, not only as the gateway to Europe, but as a major employer in the area.
It acknowledges the depth and breadth of skills within its workforce and how these can be used to benefit the community. It provides 3,700 hours of volunteer time per year for its colleagues to use in order to support community projects.
FINALISTS: Aramark nominated by Capt(Retd) Rambahadur Pun, Chair of Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre. He said:
The Aramark team, led by Tony Ellis and Jacqueline Moorhead, demonstrates outstanding commitment to charitable and community support initiatives.
Jenners Construction nominateded by Ray Johnson, who said: “As race director of Folkestone Coastal 10K, Merit holder Folkestone Town Council and President of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Jenner’s go above and beyond and are a great example of assisting many good causes, including the 10K & Donations With a difference.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY: All nominations showed us there is a wealth of kindness and talent in
Folkestone and Hythe.
WINNER: Pippa Brook. Pippa heads up
Baby Basics Folkestone and was nominated by volunteer Helen Matcham who said:
Pippa started Baby Basics Folkestone (BBF) from scratch five years ago. She has grown it to 14 volunteers whom she looks after and she does the lions share of the work. Pippa gives hours and hours of her spare time each week, packing referrals, processing donations, responding to requests and caring for other volunteers. She has done this alongside working and has persevered when it’s been difficult to ensure local families are supported.
FINALISTS: Kieran Thale. Kieran volunteers at Folkestone Rainbow Centre and was nominated by member of staff Jane Suckling who said:“Kieran volunteers in our Homeless support service reception. Kieran wanted to volunteer as part of his college course and when he started, Kieran was a shy, quiet lad. On his trial shift he sat quietly watching. He goes out to collect food donations or even goes to a supermarket for something urgently needed for breakfast club without hesitation and with real enthusiasm.”
Martin King, who volunteers for
White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and
Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership. was nominated by member of staff Joanna Mettler. She said: “Martin has been a volunteer for over 20 years but I only met him in December 2022 when I started in my new role as Shorncliffe Ranger. Over the past two years he has been absolutely going above and beyond any expectation. Martin usually volunteers even when I go on annual leave. He dedicated close to 4000 hours within the last two years.”
And finally, the judges created a special category for two nominees in the 2025 awards. The first special mention goes to our overall winner and a second special award goes to the organisation with the most nominations.
OVERALL WINNER: Romney Marsh Community Hub
A reminder of what Romney Marsh Community Hub does…. it is open to anyone over 50 and strives to help and improve people’s health and wellbeing. Over 100 volunteers do everything from assisting with admin to offering tea and companionship to delivering freshly cooked meals to homes in need, driving to medical appointments, working in the charity shop, running dementia cafes and fundraising. Collectively, the team contributes over 1,000 hours of their time each year.
MOST NOMINATIONS: Beacon Plus Community Cafe.
An inspiring group of young people with additional needs have worked for the past four years to establish a brand-new community cafe ran fully by themselves. The Cafe supports and hosts local community groups such as domestic abuse, mental health, life skills and many more, providing a safe and welcoming space to enable the community to access much needed
services. Prices are kept low so all members of the community can access food and a hot drink. These young adults aim to make Folkestone a happier, safer and more inclusive place to live work and visit.
FINALLY… We would like to acknowledge Capt (Retd) Ram Pun the Chairman of the Folkestone Nepalese Community who “Missed out by 1 mark for the overall award” In the three years since the community centre opened the benefits to both the Nepalese community as well as the wider communitynhave been immeasurable, it has truly transformed the lives of those who use it every day.