Nominate community heroes for an award

Nominations are now open to recognise the contributions of community heroes in Swale.

The Mayor’s Civic Award is asking for people to nominate hidden heroes who work to help others across the borough.

Nominees can come from all ages and backgrounds; they just need to have made a difference to their local community and live in Swale.

The nominations are open until Tuesday 31 March and the winners will be selected by the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Karen Watson, and a panel of councillors.

Winners will be invited to an award ceremony at Swale House, in May, followed by an afternoon tea with the mayor.

Last year’s awards saw 11 local heroes recognised for their hard work and dedication to helping their communities.

The Mayor of Swale, Cllr Karen Watson, said:

“It is an honour and privilege to be able to help recognise some of the most caring, compassionate, and hardworking people in Swale, through the Mayor’s Civic Awards.

“The awards are an opportunity for everyone to show their appreciation for the members of our community who work tirelessly to better Swale, help people, and make a real difference.

“If you know someone who goes above and beyond to help those around them, whether that is through volunteering, acts of heroism or charity work please nominate them for this award.

“Swale is blessed with so many amazing organisations so we know picking just a few people to honour will be incredibly difficult, but, equally, I can’t wait to see all the nominations come in.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gives up their time to help our communities - even if you don’t get this award - we truly appreciate everyone’s efforts to make Swale a kinder place.”

Last year’s winners were:

Highly commended

Ross Elderfield is a football coach in Sheerness who spearheaded the clubs first girls team – The Whippets Development Team, with the aim of encouraging more young girls to play football.  When he is not braving wet and windy weather training youth teams, he is organising fundraising events.

His nominator said: “he is an amazing fundraiser for so many charities and is always on hand to help local causes and charity projects.”

Claire Ives has been instrumental in setting up new services for people over the age of 50 and ensured a successful merger between two Age UK services. She brought together different charities under one roof to deliver services from the Heather House community hub in Sittingbourne. She is also the chair of the swale voluntary sector group which brings together organisations to make sure Swale’s most vulnerable are supported in a coherent impactful way.

Her nominator said: “there have been many benefits from her work specifically to those who are over 50 and living with dementia. The new hub that she has enabled means that many people can be supported, from homeless people to victims of domestic violence and many more.”

Finn Tumber is dedicated to raising the awareness of mental health. He runs a yearly charity football match 'The Connor Mackay Cup', which last year raised £15,000 for mental health charities. He has a podcast which works to break the stigma of mental health and encourage people to talk. He organises and promotes events to get the community together and build friendships. He also volunteers regularly for initiatives such as at the children's Lego club.

His nominator said: “he is the most friendly, humble, kind and generous person I have ever met who will always put other people first and do anything he can to help people.”

Lorraine March, and her team care for over 600 animals a year including hedgehogs, foxes, birds and marine animals including seals. They aim to rescue wildlife found injured, sick or orphaned and treat, rehabilitate and then release them where possible. They also raise awareness for these amazing animals and promote road safety and warn against the dangers of littering.

Her nominator said: “she and her team have worked tirelessly looking after Kent’s wildlife. It’s very difficult to put into words the love and devotion of everyone involved in the care of our precious wildlife. They truly need recognition for this work which is completely volunteer driven no one is paid, and it is carried out with passion and total and unconditional love for the animals.”

Rebecca Breiner, suffered from hearing loss at an early age and learnt sign language through music. She formed the Song Signing Academy and is now an ambassador for the Charities Sign2Sing and Signhealth. Rather than sing with their voices, her choir sings with their hands in British Sign Language. She also offers online and in-person chances for Swale residents to learn sign language.

Her nominator said: “her dedication is amazing, and her volunteer team and choir make such a difference to so many lives not just the deaf community but also disabled people and disadvantaged in our community. Her workshops and courses have changed people’s lives. She has been through so many challenges in her own life and has created something amazing.”

Civic award

Steven Pullen, who is sharing the award, has always helped others with a career as a first responder and ambulance driver. He is also the director and founding member of Swale Pride and has worked to ensure that the branch developed into the thriving community it is today.

His nominator said: “he has the ability to talk and listen to people and has the time for everyone. He has helped people to have a voice by what he does, and he makes them feel safe.  He is kind and hardworking and is always ready to help people no matter what time of day it is even if he has been at work all day.”

Jordan Chan - sharing the award with Steven - raised over £12,000 for charity and was the only Kent finalist for Mr Gay Great Britain, which he entered to raise awareness of LGBT issues across Swale. He also created a calendar to raise money and awareness for testicular cancer. He uses his platform to speak out against bullying and homophobia.

His nominator said: “he is a real model for the community with his positive can-do attitude, charity work and with the empathy and compassion he shows for Swale and his community. He has created numerous safe spaces and events for his local community and raised money for the last two Swale pride main summer events and will be doing the same for 2025.”

Kelly Kay, as chairperson of the Sittingbourne and District Carnival Association, took on the enormous challenge of restoring and improving the Sittingbourne Carnival, ensuring it could once again be a highlight of the year for the town. She devoted months of her personal time to rebuilding the event from the ground up.

Her nominator said: “without her selfless dedication, the Sittingbourne Carnival would not have been possible. She has given an extraordinary gift to the community-not just a single event, but the revival of a long-standing tradition that fosters pride, unity, and celebration. Her leadership and tireless voluntary work have had a lasting impact.”

Michelle Henneker has been at the forefront of coordinating support for displaced Ukrainians in Sittingbourne and Sheppey ever since the UK welcomed those fleeing the Russian invasion. She has facilitated language lessons, housing advice and support for the mental health and wellbeing of children and the opportunity for the local Ukrainian population to have a safe space to meet.

Her nominator said: “her enthusiasm, kindness and drive to help others has been pivotal in making Heather House a welcoming and friendly warm space and also in developing positive relationships with a range of volunteers and local support groups. She has worked hard in helping the community by welcoming 1,500 visitors to our warm space, served 650 affordable hot meals, served 159 free meals. She has helped tackle loneliness, promote mental wellbeing and skills development with the support of local groups and organisations via our community space”.

Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Andrew Redman has been a volunteer for H.M. Coastguard for over 43 years. He is a coastguard rescue officer and can get called out at any time of the day or night to a cliff rescue, someone stuck in the mud, missing person search or a water rescue. He has saved countless lives.

His nominator said: “the number of people he has helped, and lives saved are just remarkable.”

Mayor’s Special Award

Tracy Marsh is a volunteer Coordinator for SATEDA. Despite a huge workload she treats every victim of domestic abuse with the upmost compassion, care and respect helping them to rebuild their lives and realise that there is life after domestic abuse. People can access help, such as a food bank, Sharewear, counselling, the freedom programme, wellbeing events and other support because of her.

Her nominator said: “she looked after my daughter and I in some of our darkest times. She was an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a person to vent to and throughout it all, she always believed in us, even when we didn't believe in ourselves. As a domestic abuse victim, life is incredibly lonely, you often have no one to talk to, no one to listen to you, no one that you can ask for help, but she helps to relieve all your stresses and worries and is the most amazing yet selfless person who you will ever meet.

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