Award for helping those with addiction
A charity providing support for people battling alcohol and substance addiction has taken the top prize at an awards ceremony.
The Kenward Trust was the winner from a field of more than 70 entries in the Kent Charity Awards.
The awards are now in their third year and culminated in a ceremony at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne. The Yalding-based Kenward Trust was founded in 1968 by Ray and Violet Sinden after Mr Sinden offered his home in the Weald to help the rehabilitation of homeless people, many of them with addictions and living on the streets. Today it takes in around 200 residents each year across eight buildings, plus reaching hundreds of young people through prevention work and support.
David Philpott, chief executive, said: “To have our work, which is often seen as unglamorous compared with other charities, recognised by winning these awards, sends a very positive message to our many staff who work tirelessly in challenging situations.”
Other winners included Lorraine Brown, from Medway, named volunteer of the year. She has dementia and does unpaid work at the Alzheimers Society.
Sponsors were Furley Page, the KM Media Group, Kent Reliance, Medway Council, MidKent College, Kent County Council, Kreston Reeves Diggerland, SouthEastern and CC Works. Entry for 2018 opens in summer. Visit kentcharityawards.com.