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Rotarians recognise the work of Sheppey volunteers

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.

Veteran charity collector and 'inventor' Tim Bell has turned his mobility scooter into a replica of Sheerness clock tower. It made its debut at the Abbey Motel on Friday for the Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea's Jubilee community awards. Picture: John Nurden
Veteran charity collector and 'inventor' Tim Bell has turned his mobility scooter into a replica of Sheerness clock tower. It made its debut at the Abbey Motel on Friday for the Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea's Jubilee community awards. Picture: John Nurden
Veteran charity collector and 'inventor' Tim Bell has turned his mobility scooter into a replica of Sheerness clock tower. It made its debut at the Abbey Motel on Friday for the Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea's Jubilee community awards. Picture: John Nurden
Veteran charity collector and 'inventor' Tim Bell has turned his mobility scooter into a replica of Sheerness clock tower. It made its debut at the Abbey Motel on Friday for the Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea's Jubilee community awards. Picture: John Nurden
Dawn Brown, left, and Rachel King selling raffle tickets at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Dawn Brown, left, and Rachel King selling raffle tickets at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards

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.

The Sheppey Song Signing Choir entertaining at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
The Sheppey Song Signing Choir entertaining at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Becki Breiner of the Sheppey Song Signing Choir with Rotary president Gary White
Becki Breiner of the Sheppey Song Signing Choir with Rotary president Gary White
Paul Murray and pupils from the Oasis Academy at the Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel. Picture: John Nurden
Paul Murray and pupils from the Oasis Academy at the Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel. Picture: John Nurden

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.

Gwen Croally and president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Gwen Croally and president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Julie Nicholls of Sheppey FM with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel on Friday
Julie Nicholls of Sheppey FM with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel on Friday
Dawn Cockburn of the Harmony Therapy Trust with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Dawn Cockburn of the Harmony Therapy Trust with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards
Kyle Ratcliffe of Curly's Farm with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel
Kyle Ratcliffe of Curly's Farm with president Gary White at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel
Adele Stearns with Minster-on-Sheppey Rotary Club president Gary White. She picked up a Platinum Jubilee award for her work looking after swans
Adele Stearns with Minster-on-Sheppey Rotary Club president Gary White. She picked up a Platinum Jubilee award for her work looking after swans
The Bonnevilles entertaining at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel
The Bonnevilles entertaining at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's Platinum Jubilee volunteer awards at the Abbey Hotel
Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson helps plant a tree for the Queen's Green Canopy Platinum Jubilee initiative outside the Abbey Hotel, The Broadway, Minster, with Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club members, from the left, Simon Mulchinock, Colin Obee and president Gary White
Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson helps plant a tree for the Queen's Green Canopy Platinum Jubilee initiative outside the Abbey Hotel, The Broadway, Minster, with Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club members, from the left, Simon Mulchinock, Colin Obee and president Gary White

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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