There were tears, smiles and laughter as the borough honoured those people who go the extra mile for their community.

The Volunteer Swale Awards 2015 ceremony was held at Sittingbourne’s Coniston Hotel on Thursday night.

There were eight categories with 22 different groups and individuals in the running. More than 100 nominations were received at the beginning of this year.

The Environmental Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Queendown Green Team members who have spent 3,000 hours keeping the nature reserve near Hartlip in good order and making it special for visitors.

Runners-up were Marnie Dillury, who spends her spare time removing rubbish from Garrison Point beach in Sheerness, and Dave Eldred who looks after the Bob Fowler Community Allotment in Sittingbourne.

Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Award went to Linda Deadman and Janice Waghorn, who over the course of 12 years raised almost £60,000 for the Royal Marsden Hospital, hosting quizzes on Sheppey.

Runners-up were the Kemsley Parent Teacher Association, which works tirelessly to raise much-needed funds for the primary school, and Charlotte Knowles who raises money for the Brain Tumour Charity following the loss of her brother.

Gary Axford, of Faversham Strike Force FC, was named the Sport Volunteer of the Year. Founded in 1999, it has grown into one of Kent’s largest and best known youth football clubs.

Sheppey’s Eastern Athletic Boxing Club, which trains up to 30 children under the age of 13, was a runner-up, as was Sheerness-based Holm Place Anglers which works with the community and special-needs schools.

The Adult Volunteer of the Year was Special Sergeant Ashley Collick who pounds the beat in Faversham town centre, making it a safer place for residents and visitors.

Runners-up were Special Sergeant Ben Harris who helps police colleagues right across the borough, and Rob Wood, who works tirelessly at Sittingbourne’s Pulse Cafe.

The Young Volunteer of the Year Award went to Patrick Cantellow, who attends Sittingbourne’s Fulston Manor School. He is an enthusiastic fundraisers for a variety of charities, including Demelza House Hospice, NSPCC and Comic Relief.

Angel Layer and Jamie Long were the runners-up. Angel campaigns for young people’s issues across the county as a member of the Kent Youth County Council. Through his work at Sheppey FM, Jamie mentors other teenagers.

The Event Marshalling Unit Sheppey was named as Volunteer Team of the Year. For more than 30 years, the group has provided marshals for events across the county.

Runners-up were Sittingbourne Street Pastors, who spend Friday evenings in Sittingbourne town centre assisting those who need help, and Minster-based community radio station BRFM which broadcasts to the borough and supports the community.

Sheppey’s Blue Town Heritage Centre took the top prize in the Creativity, Culture or Heritage Volunteer of the Year Award. With 15,000 visitors from across Britain last year alone, the centre celebrates Sheppey’s history, heritage and tourism potential.

Runners-up were Mary Thomsett and Sheppey FM. Mary volunteers at the Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum, sharing her knowledge and passion for local history. Sheerness-based Sheppey FM offers media training to mainly disadvantaged people and attends various local events.

Volunteer Swale Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award was awarded posthumously to Faversham Society co-founder Arthur Percival who spent more than 50 years promoting the town and its heritage.

Entertainment was provided by Swale Sings choir and Amu Acoustic. Cabinet member for localism Cllr Mike Whiting said: “It was a great evening and you couldn’t help but be amazed by the dedication shown by each and every volunteer being recognised by the awards.

“I’d like to thank the sponsors who made the evening possible, and the Swale council staff who made it happen.

“Volunteering provides companionship and for some can be the first step on the road to paid work, but overwhelmingly, volunteers say they give their time to help others and make our communities better places to live.”

Sponsors were: Amicus Horizon, Amu Acoustic, Children and Families, Coniston Hotel, Family Homes, KM Group, McCabe Ford Williams, Reardon Properties, Sears Business Centre and Talking Fly.

• For four pages of photos from the event, see this week's Sheerness Times Guardian and Sittingbourne News Extra.