MORE than 60 of Kent's leading volunteer workers were honoured at a special ceremony where they were congratulated by Blair McDonough, one of the stars of the TV soap Neighbours.

Blair, starring in Dick Whittington at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, joined county council leader, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart and the High Sheriff of Kent, Charles Dawes, at the Ashford International Hotel.

The Kent Volunteers Awards for Volunteering Excellence are an annual drive by KCC, the voluntary and business sectors to promote and encourage volunteering in the county.

People were asked to nominate individuals and groups who have made a real difference to people or the community. Nominations this year doubled to more than 600.

This was the third Kent Volunteers Awards but the first sponsored by Kent businesses. Media partner was the Kent Messenger Group.

KM Group managing editor, Mike Whiting said: “Volunteers rarely make headlines, and seldom seek out the limelight, but these awards have generated some truly heart-warming stories which have reminded us of the enormous debt we owe to the thousands of volunteers in every community across Kent.”

Winners ranged from someone who has provided respite care to children with disabilities for 15 years to a group doing a soup run for homeless people; and from sailing lessons for the disabled to a 24 hour Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

KCC leader, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: “Everybody knows of someone who works tirelessly for others, or for their community. But it is only by bringing together many hundreds of stories for an award such as this that you discover just how many people there are in the county making a real difference to the world around them. We are grateful to them all, and to our sponsors for their support.

“The scheme really has helped spread the message that volunteers are vital to the well-being of our county. I hope that by acknowledging the energy, talent and commitment of just a few, we will encourage many other people to consider what they have to offer.”

There were eight categories in this year’s awards, with three winners in each.

This year’s winners, who received cut glass trophies, were:

Sport and The Arts, sponsored by The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury: David James, Herne Bay; Strode Park Theatre Group, Herne; Jackie Hubbard, Strood.

Protection and Enjoyment of the Environment, sponsored by The Environment Agency: The Kent Bat Group; Kent Wildlife Trust Green Team Volunteers; Christopher Baker, Dartford.

Carers, Welfare and Disability, sponsored by Barclays: Janet Rankin, Margate; Jenny and Lara Marsh, Deal; Don Doel and Maidstone Christian Care.

Counselling, Advice and Self Help, sponsored by Eurotunnel: Vanessa Jenkins, Maidstone; Kent Refugee Support Group, Margate; Peter Moore, Hawkhurst.

Community Support and Development, sponsored by Pfizer: Home-Start Ashford Volunteers; Gerry Richards, East Malling; Sharon Twyman, Gravesend.

Voluntary Committee Support, sponsored by SAGA: David Cxrighton, Gravesend; Muriel Jennings MBE, Canterbury; Helen Warriner, Tunbridge Wells.

The Kent County Council Education Award for volunteers working on drug and alcohol initiatives, anti-bullying, crime campaigns and reading and literacy: the Rev John Thackray, Bridge, Canterbury; Eurotunnel Mentors, Folkestone; John and Cheryl Martin, Sellindge.

The KCC Special Jubilee Award, for an outstanding group organising a Golden Jubilee event that encouraged active participation in their community: Cllr Colin Bothwell, Deputy Mayor, Southborough; Pat Read, Minster, Sheppey; Jon Clarke and Kings Farm Estate Jubilee Event Group, Singlewell, Gravesend.

Highly commended (certificates)

Sports and The Arts: Maidstone Film Society; Theatre Royal front of house volunteers, Margate; Harmandeep Mema, Gravesend. Protection and enjoyment of the wild, semi-natural and built environment: Friends of Reculver and Kent Wildlife Trust; Kent Mammal Group; Floodlinks (Sturry and Fordwich), White Cliffs Countryside Project Volunteers. Carers, Welfare and Disability: Bianca Reynolds, Northfleet for Out of Mischief Club; Deal Resource House Volunteers; Roy Ansell, Rainham, for support of carers and sufferers of Alzheimers disease and dementia; Counselling, advice and self-help: Christine Loker, Northfleet, for involvement in Home-Start, Gravesend. Community Support and Development: George Stillwell, Bean, Dartford Area Officer, Special Constabulary; Dr Gavin McLaggan, Detling, for his commitment to village community. Voluntary work in education and schools: Peer mentors, Walmer School; Maidstone Advocacy Project; Dextram Torricke-Barton, Tonbridge, Millennium Volunteer. Voluntary committee support: Jeanne Henderson, Dover, for work with Kent Association for the Disabled; The Friends of Temple Ewell School; St Mary’s Bay village hall management committee and supporters. Community involvement in the Golden Jubilee: Underriver Village Association; Walmer Parish Council; Diane Cook, Canterbury for Querns Estate jubilee celebrations.

Special mention volunteers (certificates)

Sport and The Arts: Canterbury Arts Council; Sarah Risby, Dartford, for contribution to Kent School Sports Council; Richard Sharp, Charing, for developing youth football and Tenterden Tigers; Gerald Philpott, Folkestone, for contribution to other young people through football. Carers, welfare and disability: Befrienders, VSU Youth in Action, Hextable. Counselling, advice and self-help: Swale Young Carers Befriending Scheme; Complementary Cancer Care Trust, Bexley; Maidstone Mediation Scheme Volunteers. Community support and development: Bernard Cook, Deal, founder and organiser of Alternative Christian Entertainment. For voluntary work in education and schools: Rod Dexter, Tankerton, for 20 years involvement in organising and training for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme; Peter Platt, Cliftonville, for 10 years involvement involvement in organising and training for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme. Voluntary committee support: Kent Federation of Young Farmers Clubs show committee; Oliver Hurd, Dartford, Oxfam shop team; Nora May Edwards, Dartford, 18 years work for Oxfam, Dartford. For community involvement in the Golden Jubilee: Dymchurch Jubilee Committee and Joyce Cockerill.