Rotarians recognise the work of Sheppey volunteers
Published: 05:00, 10 June 2022
Organisations and individuals from Sheppey were honoured in a special event to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
The Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea drew up a list of nominations and handed out certificates at the Abbey Hotel in The Broadway, Minster.
Club president Gary White said: "It was an honour to mark the contributions of all the volunteers who do so much to keep the Island going."
Those highlighted included veteran fundraiser Tim Bell who collects for the Kent Air Ambulance using a modified mobility scooter made to look like a helicopter, complete with lights and revolving rota. He has also transformed his scooter into a Second World War tank compete with barrel and revolving turret.
But at the awards he turned up in his latest creation, a replica of the Sheerness clock tower painted in its new colours of green, gold and red.
He explained: "I thought the tank was a little insensitive these days with the war in Ukraine so I hit on the idea of the clock. It took me three weeks to make. It even has a working bell which I can ring from inside the cab."
Other winners included Becki Breiner's Song Signing Choir which gave a special performance of the National Anthem.
There were certificates for Jenny Hurkett of the Blue Town Heritage Centre, Paul Murray and the youngsters of the Oasis Isle of Sheppey Academy for their work on the award-winning dementia cafe, Dave and Fiona Anderson for the Marula Kids Kenya charity and Julie Nicholls of Sheppey FM.
A special award went to Gwen Croally for more than 40 years of voluntary work including 20 years as the voice of Sheppey's Talking Books for the blind which were recorded in her home. She is still an active member of the Sheppey Senior Fellowship and the Sexburga Stitchers which made the kneelers and cushions at Minster Abbey.
Animal-lover Adele Stearns picked up an award for caring for swans.
Other scrolls went to the Sheppey Sea Cadets, Beverley Nolker who founded ADHD Sheppey, Mustafa 'Bull' Bulent for his fundraising and support of Men Talk and Dawn Cockburn of the Harmony Therapy Trust.
Sheerness Town Team chairman Phil Crowder picked up an award for his regular one-man beach cleans and Lynne Clifton of The Salvation Army and Kyle Ratcliffe of Curly's Farm were also honoured.
In all, more than 60 were invited. They were entertained by rock 'n' roll band The Bonnevilles featuring Rotarian Hannah Bowie-Carlin on vocals.
Before the event, Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson helped plant a flowering cherry tree at the front of the hotel as part of the Queen's Green Canopy plant a tree for the jubilee initiative.
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John Nurden