Awards for teamwork in helping Kent’s charities
The organisations which work behind the scenes to give a boost to Kent’s charities have been honoured with awards.
Fourteen companies and representatives from Maidstone were noted at the KM Charity Partnership ceremony.
The charity stages collaborative fundraising events including the KM Big Bike Ride, KM Colour Run, KM Charity Walk and KM Dragon Boat Race plus the KM Big Charity Quiz around the county.
These have all raised £200,000 for a host of community projects.
Many of the partners help the charity with its educational work which includes removing more than 250,000 school-run car journeys from roads each year through its walk to school campaign.
Children taking part in the charity’s Buster’s Book Club initiative collectively read more than two million minutes at home last academic year.
Those who took home trophies were Cllr Derek Mortimer of Maidstone council, Golding Homes, LoopCR, Mercure Maidstone, Orbit Homes, Kent Reliance, Mote Park Watersports Centre, Suzanne Howe Communications, Gallagher Group, Barclays Bank Maidstone, Gullands Solicitors, Maidstone Ramblersa and Jelf Insurance.
Lord Lieutenant Viscount De L’lsle said: “The winners help this charity do a great job. The whole idea of getting local government, the private sector, and charities together is a real team approach.
“Some initiatives like the Walking Bus scheme is a demonstration of good practice and has been taken up all over the country.”
Jessica Pearmine, who accepted an award on behalf of Kent Reliance, said: “It means a great deal. We love working with the KM Charity Team.
“It’s great to be a part of it supporting both their children’s literacy work and also the KM Dragon Boat Race.”
Malou Bengtsson- Wheeler,