Jordan’s Trauma to Triumph
Almost two years after a crash at St Peters Road left Manston motorbike enthusiast Jordan Collins with a horrific catalogue of injuries, he and his family have held a family fun event to raise funds for the air ambulance and thank its crew for saving his life.
The former Pilgrims Hospice kitchen assistant, aged 24 at the time of the collision between his Yamaha bike and a car, was airlifted to Kings College hospital in London suffering fractures to his right shoulder, spine, ribs, skull, face and left leg.
He had punctured both lungs, lacerated his liver and kidneys, had temporary nerve damage to his right eye and sustained brain damage.
The former Marlowe student suffered cardiac arrests and had 10 units of blood transfused by the air ambulance team. Medics did not think he would survive.
In total, he spent 13 months in hospital. Jordan underwent a series of therapies and treatments at the Cleveland hospital and was eventually discharged in August last year.
Despite still being in recovery, the 26-year-old was determined to give back and held a fundraising event for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) at Westwood Manor last month.
Mum Shayla Raine said: “The event went well and we raised £748.42 – we have sent £800 to the charity on top of the £200 we raised last August.
“We are continuing to promote and support the charity and we are currently running raffles on the Jordan’s trauma to triumph page. There will also be items going up for sale with all proceeds to KSS.
“We met the Dr Rob on 5th July at the Kent air base, it was so overwhelming but what an amazing thing to be able to cuddle the man who saved Jordan’s life.
“You could see the joy in his eyes when we walked in and straight away he asked to hug us both. He said to Jordan “I never thought I would be seeing you again, let alone walking in to shake my hand, you certainly are a strong person.”
“We only got 10 minutes with him before he was called out to an emergency, but that day will forever be with us as a family.
“The event followed with such great weather, we are amazed by all the kindness and support. Special thanks to Margate Ambulance Corps, Toni at Westwood Manor House, Rachel from Future Performing Arts and her team of dancers and all the stalls and volunteers on the day.
“Since the event Jordan has continued with his rehabilitation and is now walking with one crutch, has his new pin lock prosthetic and we have found out that he has to wear a hearing aid now.
“But in true Jordan style he has taken it well and is just carrying on.
“I am in awe of my boy and I’m so proud to be his mum.”
Thanet Wanderers and Lions ladies take on London Landmarks Half Marathon
Three ladies have faced their adversities head on by running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for the Wooden Spoon Charity.
Vicky Flower, Marie Hoskins and Paula Morgan decided during Tagfest in 2025, a day where SEND children can play rugby at a large tournament in Coventry, that they wanted to help this wonderful charity.
Vicky Flower plays rugby for Thanet Wanderers and the British and Irish Lions Wooden Spoon teams, whilst Marie and Paula’s children play with the Thanet Lions SEND rugby team and take part in the Wooden Spoon Tagfest tournament. All the reasons to run this half marathon were there and the ladies started to embark on training. There were setbacks for all three ladies along the way, but their determination saw them through to running it.
What makes this more remarkable is that Paula has a heart condition (SCAD) that caused her to have multiple heart attacks and heart failure which means she cannot go above 159bpm. Vicky severely broke her foot and had DVT as a result whilst playing rugby in April 2025…she also found out that from an MRI, she had been running for a year with a Lisfranc injury as well! However, the task in hand was to be a celebration of overcoming adversity for the greater cause.
Wooden Spoon changes the lives of children with SEND. Paula and Marie’s families have experienced this with Tagfest and Vicky has visited openings of projects at SEND schools in Kent as Kent Vets Ladies Captain. The money raised goes towards projects like sensory rooms and outdoor play areas that are adapted for the children they serve in schools so that they can learn and have fun.
“Seeing the children engage in activities and learning that they have not been able to before is the biggest reward of all,” said Vicky.
Slimming World (Thanet)
Our Westbrook Wednesday Woman of the Year
Since walking through our yellow doors, Kelly Field has waved goodbye to an incredible 6½ stone!
Her “why” was her gorgeous 3-year-old granddaughter. Kelly told us she didn’t want to be the nanny sitting on the bench watching everyone else have fun… she wanted to be running around, making memories and living life to the full. And now, with another grandchild on the way, she’s got even more adventures ahead of her!
Life certainly hasn’t stood still for Kelly. As a full-time carer for her husband, she’s always putting everyone else first. Yet somehow, she still finds the time to plan, Food Optimise and look after herself too. That’s no small achievement.
Kelly is also one of our fabulous Social Team members and has inspired so many friends and family to join us. That’s what happens when people see just how much happier and healthier you become… they want a bit of it too!
Her secret? “Planning is key… and coming to group every week keeps me on track”.
No fad diets. Just a plan, lots of determination, and a room full of people cheering her on every single week.
Kelly, we couldn’t be prouder of you. Thank you for inspiring us, making us laugh, and showing everyone that it’s never too late to change your life.
Woman of the Year Thursday 530pm– Charlotte
Charlotte Jones has lost nearly 3 stone, all while juggling life as a busy mum. She could easily have put herself to the bottom of the list, but instead she chose to make herself a priority – and what an amazing difference it’s made!
As a vegetarian, Charlotte is always finding delicious, healthy ways to Food Optimise, proving there’s always a way to make the plan work for you.
But what really makes Charlotte special isn’t just her fantastic weight loss. It’s her infectious sense of humour, her kindness, and the way she always has a smile and words of encouragement for everyone else. Whether you’re celebrating a loss or needing a little boost, Charlotte is one of the first to cheer you on.
It’s no surprise that her fellow members chose her as their Woman of the Year. This award recognises someone who inspires others as much as they transform themselves, and Charlotte does exactly that.
Charlotte, we’re all so proud of you.
Congratulations on your well-deserved award – here’s to the next chapter of your incredible journey!
And congrats to Jo
A huge congratulations to our wonderful Jo Webb, who has lost an amazing 4 stone in just 6 months with Westbrook Slimming World!
As a busy mum of seven, it would be easy to think there isn’t enough time to prioritise herself. Between family life, school runs, meals and everything else that comes with raising a big family, life is certainly full! Yet Jo has proved that with a little planning, determination and the right support, amazing things really can happen.
Week after week, Jo has planned ahead, cooked delicious Food Optimising meals, stayed focused and celebrated every milestone along the way. She hasn’t looked for perfection—she’s simply kept showing up, and those consistent choices have added up to an incredible 4-stone loss.
She’s always there with a smile and genuinely celebrates other people’s successes while quietly working towards her own goals, making her an inspiration to everyone around her.
So it’s no surprise at all that Jo was voted Woman of the Year by our Thursday 7pm Westbrook Slimming World members.
Jo, we’re all so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for inspiring us every single week!
Martha Trust
Local charity Martha Trust, which supports young people and adults with profound disabilities, celebrated 10 years of Music4Martha on The Square in Deal – and the community turned out in style as well as people from all over Kent.
The free-to-attend event, supported by long-term partners The Kings Head, The Port Arms and Dunkerleys, drew large crowds who enjoyed a fabulous line-up featuring Emma Black, Thomas Abrahams who sister lives at Martha Trust, Muzz & Joe Duo, Miami Vice Duo, NightWatch and Grooveshack.
Students from Dean Academy of Performing Arts School also wowed audiences with dynamic dance compilations.
The day was expertly compered by Academy FM’s very own Paul Rutters, with sound provided by Mark One Sound & Light. Local businesses joined in the fundraising spirit, including Petal and Punk Facepainting, KC’s Confectionery and Deal’s Dairy Delights, each donating 20% of sales to Martha.
The event was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from 2026 Events Sponsor Superior Healthcare Group, along with The Kings Head, The Port Arms and Dunkerleys, local family-run businesses Walmer Installations, Higson & Co, J Dilnot Smith & Son Funeral Directors & Soul Chef Kitchen.
Together, these efforts helped raise a record-breaking £9,000 for the charity. Martha Trust’s Fundraising & Events Manager, Kerry Banks BEM, said: “It was an incredible day – on behalf of our residents and staff, thank you so much to everyone who came along to support. The atmosphere was amazing! Special thanks to everyone who gave their time for free – our volunteers are awesome – and to all who donated auction and raffle prizes, including Shepherd Neame, Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club, The Dog at Wingham, and many more.”
Next year’s Music4Martha Deal is already in the diary- slightly later on Sunday 22nd August 2027.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kerry Banks on 01304 610448 or email
The charity’s next event is Music4Martha Sandwich which is being held on the forecourt of# Sandwich Guildhall on Saturday 29th August – stalls open from 10am and music starts at 12noon through until 6.30pm.
Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity
People across Kent and Medway are being encouraged to take on a challenge this August to raise money and awareness as part of a new dementia campaign.
Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity, formerly known as Health Heart Hope, has launched its ‘Seeing Dementia Differently’ campaign to support people living with dementia, as well as their families, carers and communities. As part of the campaign, August is Challenge Month, giving supporters the chance to take on an exciting challenge while raising money to help people affected by dementia.
Supporters can take on England’s longest zipline at Hangloose Adventure Bluewater or take to the skies with a skydive at Headcorn Aerodrome. People can also create their own challenge, whether that is taking part in a sponsored walk or cycle, setting a personal goal or organising an activity with friends, family, colleagues or their local community.
The charity hopes the challenges will raise vital funds while starting conversations about dementia and helping people understand the condition better. The campaign builds on work already taking place across Kent and Medway to improve dementia diagnosis, care and support.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is involved in research studies looking at how dementia can be diagnosed, treated and supported in the future. These studies are helping to shape future services while giving local people opportunities to take part in new approaches to care.
The trust is also supporting a new community-based pilot, which aims to bring dementia assessment and diagnosis closer to people’s homes across Kent and Medway. The pilot is part of wider work to improve dementia diagnosis and care, including training and support for primary care teams and care homes.
Together, this work aims to create a dementia pathway that is safe, consistent and shaped by the experiences of people living with dementia and those who care for them.
The ‘Seeing Dementia Differently’ campaign also aims to focus on what people living with dementia can do, rather than what they cannot do. It will look at how communities can help people stay connected, take part in activities and continue to live well.
To take part in August Challenge Month or find out more, contact the Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity team by emailing [email protected]
