Thirty-three winners have received certificates after being named as Thanet community champions.
Representatives from Thanet’s voluntary, community and social enterprise groups got together today (March 12) foir an award ceremony hosted by Thanet council in partnership with Social Enterprise Kent.
The awards honoured the individuals and organisations making a real difference in their communities.
The winners were awarded a framed certificate at the ceremony at The Pavilion in Broadstairs. Nine winners were recognised as overall champions in their category and received an engraved Community Champions award.
The overall winner, STAKlife CIC, won the highest accolade, Champion of Champions.
People were invited to submit nominations for their Community Champions in October 2024. A total of 157 nominations were received, with the winning entries selected by a panel including the Mayors of Margate and Broadstairs, Thanet District Council Cabinet member for Regeneration and Property, Cllr Ruth Duckworth and CEO of Social Enterprise Kent, Rebecca Smith.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, said: “It was a real pleasure to attend the Thanet Community Champions Awards for 2025, and to hear first-hand about the great work that’s going on across the district. There was such a diverse range of projects, all of which are making a positive impact in our communities.
“The awards celebrated the dedication, passion, and resilience shown by the people who give their time to improve lives across the district. These awards not only recognised outstanding contributions from groups and individuals but will also, I hope, encourage other people to get involved.”
Rebecca Smith, CEO of Social Enterprise Kent, added: “It has been an honour to facilitate these awards and celebrate the incredible efforts of Thanet’s voluntary sector. The energy and commitment in the room was truly powerful. Seeing so many inspirational individuals and organisations being recognised for their work was a privilege, and we are incredibly proud to support and celebrate them.
“These champions are the backbone of our community, and we hope their stories inspire even more people to get involved.”
Overall Winners
| Name | Organisation | Award |
| Sonia Knight | Community Kindness Thanet | Thanet Community Champions Outstanding Individual Award |
| Ramsgate Football Club | Ramsgate Football Club | Thanet Community Champions Community Impact Award |
| Pie Factory Music | Pie Factory Music | Thanet Community Champions Youth Supporter of the Year Award |
| Millmead Children Centre | Millmead Children Centre | Thanet Community Champions Care and Compassion Award |
| Broadstairs Town Team | Broadstairs Town Team | Thanet Community Champions Pride in Place Award |
| Lisa Sparkes | Sports Connect Community CIC | Thanet Community Champions Health and Wellbeing Award |
| Elaine McCarthy | Cliftonville Community Centre | Thanet Community Champions Unity Award |
| Nora Setterfield MBE | Thanet Disabled Riding Centre | Thanet Community Champions Dedication and Service Award |
| Inspiration Creative CIC | Inspiration Creative CIC | Thanet Community Champions Unsung Hero Award |
| STAK Life CIC | STAK Life CIC | Thanet Community Champion of Champions Award |
| Winners | Organisation |
| 14th Broadstairs Scout Group Leaders | 14th Broadstairs Scout Group |
| 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts | 6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts |
| Paul Saunders | Age UK Thanet |
| Ark Cliftonville | Ark Cliftonville |
| Arts Education Exchange – Andrea Kempson | Arts Education Exchange |
| Sophie and Lee Carter | Bargain Pet Pantry |
| Sue Smith | Broadstairs Lifeguard and Swimming Club |
| Broadstairs Town Team Gardens Groups | Broadstairs Town Team |
| Kerry Millett | Broadstairs Town Team |
| Tara Challenor | Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) |
| Elaine McCarthy | Cliftonville Community Centre |
| Sonia Knight | Community Kindness Thanet |
| Steve Darling | Dane Valley Woods |
| Dickie Faulkner | Dreamland Heritage Trust |
| Hornets Boxing Club | Hornets Boxing Club |
| Zoe and Peter Hammond – Inspiration Creative CIC | Inspiration Creative CIC |
| MARGATE Women’s Institute | Margate Women’s Institute |
| Diane Evans and Jan Collins – Millmead Children Centre | Millmead Children Centre |
| Kanndiss Riley | NBE Fitness |
| Derrick Downs | Oasis Domestic Abuse Service |
| Victoria Suchak | Pavilion Community Youth Café and The Zone Youth Club |
| Zoë Carassik-Lord & Kirsty McMahon -Pie Factory Music | Pie Factory Music |
| Amy Redmond | Power of Women/ Margate Pride |
| James Lawson, Ian Heath and Ramsgate Football Club | Ramsgate Football Club |
| Daniel Barham | Ramsgate Youth FC |
| Rise Up Clean Up Margate | Rise Up Clean Up Margate |
| Connor Clarke | Sports Connect Community CIC |
| Lisa Sparkes | Sports Connect Community CIC |
| Emma and Tristan Kaye and STAK Life CIC Team | STAK Life CIC |
| Linda Hardy | Thanet Athletics Club |
| Thanet Coastal Wardens | Thanet Coast Project |
| Nora Setterfield MBE | Thanet Disabled Riding Centre |
| Rory Waitt and Wilderness to Wonderland Team | Wilderness to Wonderland |
| Lorna Kane | Windmill Community Gardens Margate |
| Yofi Yvorra | Yo Street Zone |
| Charlie Euden | Charlies Children |
