Kent's local heroes honoured at Make a Difference Awards

Eight community champions in Kent have been honoured in an award scheme run by the BBC.

For the third year running BBC Local received a record number of entries and nominations for the Make a Difference Awards; celebrating people and, for the first time, animals doing extraordinary things in their communities.

BBC's controller of local audio commissioning Chris Burns said the awards "celebrate the good things that happen with our communities and it’s great to see that every year we see more and more nominations".

Karen Brinkman, from Thanet Female Veterans Group, said she was "gobsmacked" to be nominated.

The Kent winners were announced at a ceremony at The Smithery, in Chatham, on Wednesday.

Ms Brinkman said: "It just gives me the drive to make a difference to all those people who may want to volunteer in the future."

Mike Williams, who is a volunteer driver for Maidstone Homeless Care Centre and formed the Friends of Wateringbury Litter Group, said: "My trophy will go on the mantelpiece.

"When people visit I will make sure it’s up there and they fall over it!"

Graham Burns, known as the Piano Man in Broadstairs, has raised almost £119,000 taking part in numerous charity runs while carrying a karaoke machine and singing.

He said being a "professional extrovert" helped with his unique karaoke running challenges.

"It’s been a long slog, but fun."

Charlie Savin said his search and rescue dog, Willow, would be treated to a steak, sausage and a ball game as a reward for her recognition.

The bravery award winner Leigh Stevens added: "To think that all these people are in Kent is just incredible, all these local heroes."

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Make a Difference became a virtual noticeboard for local communities across England, putting those in need of help in touch with those able to offer it.

Post-pandemic, the awards are still as important as ever as the local heroes help those impacted by issues that can deeply affect our communities.

The full list of winners:

• Volunteer: Mike Williams has volunteered at a number of organisations, including the Maidstone Lions and the League of Friends, for decades. He is also a volunteer driver for Maidstone Homeless Care Centre and formed the Friends of Wateringbury Litter Group, which won the Kent County Council Shield.

• Community group: Karen Brinkman, from Thanet Female Veterans Group, plays a leading role in supporting ex-military in east Kent who are suffering from anxiety, depression, social isolation and alcohol and drug dependencies.

• Animal: Rescue dog Willow, who was adopted by Charlie Savin, is now a top air scent search and rescue dog in Kent with more than 100 searches and five finds. The animal award is a new category for 2024 and Kent had the highest number of nominations across England.

• Carer: Byron Luckhurst, 18, has been caring for his mum for as long as he can remember. He volunteers at a young carer project every week in Maidstone and helps with all age groups, ensuring they experience well-deserved respite.

• Great neighbour: Val Sargeant has been described as an “incredibly giving and caring” neighbour as she tries to bring the community together for celebrations including jubilees, the coronation and ‘Valloween’. The Ashford resident also runs errands for elderly neighbours and babysits local children and pets.

• Green: Maya’s Community Support Centre in Herne Bay is always searching for new ways to share, and save, waste. The centre organises for surplus food to go to night workers, A&E hospital queues and farms, while donated clothes, if not up to standard, are saved for rags.

• Fundraiser: Graham Burns, knows as the Piano Man in Broadstairs, has raised almost £119,000 for Breast Cancer Now and cancer research by completing 10 London Marathons and five Great North Runs – all whilst carrying a karaoke machine and singing.

• Bravery: Leigh Stevens was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer two years ago and has proved she will not only will fight the disease, but also raise money for valued local charity The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre in Tunbridge Wells. She has endured numerous cycles of chemotherapy, bowel surgery, liver surgery, two lung surgeries, and she still continues to raise funds.

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