DDC launched the third year of its popular REACH Awards as part of the Council's support of Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean Campaign in March 2024.
The REACH Awards (Recognising Environmental and Community Heroes) recognises our district’s unsung heroes who work hard to improve the appearance of the Dover District, helping to maintain our environment while uniting the local community.
Split into five different categories, the scheme acknowledges those individuals and groups who work tirelessly to make a difference, as well as local businesses who are putting the environment at the top of their agenda.
The awards were free to enter, and candidates could nominate themselves or others in the five categories.
The 2024 REACH Award winners are:
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD:
Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to provide local, vulnerable families with essentials for them and their newborn babies. Hannah Hills is a primary school teacher who works full time, as well as a mother and wife. She has been running Baby Basics Dover & Deal for the past eight years out of her garage space. She helps families with Moses basket starter packs that have everything a mum and baby could need from day one including clothes, nappies and toiletries. Recently, Hannah has become the Southeast hub lead looking after eight centres for Baby Basics in the Southeast.
Upon winning the award, Hannah said:
"I am honoured and privileged to receive this award today. I am so glad Baby Basics Dover & Deal can be here to serve our community, but couldn’t do it without our amazing team of volunteers who give their time freely and also our army of supporters who donate items and money to ensure we can continue to bless families across Dover and Deal with essential items for their babies and young children. Thank you for recognising the hard work we do to support our community."
GREEN SCHOOL AWARD:
Dover Grammar School for Boys - Lizzie Reynolds, a member of the admin team at the school, has sought grant funding to enable the school to install raised flower beds to help create a more natural and calming environment in the school's outside spaces. She has worked with staff and students to raise awareness of gardening and green issues and is actively involved in supporting the school's Y12 and Y13 gardening enrichment programme. Lizzie has designed these outdoor spaces herself and has organised the purchase of all the required materials and plants. She has also organised the planting of 100 new trees on the border of the school site to help improve the natural habitat. Lizzie is passionate about gardening and has really raised awareness of the natural world and its importance with students and staff.
Upon winning the award, Lizzie said:
"I'm proud to be recognised for the work that I have done on something I am hugely passionate about. It is a team effort, however, and I want to thank Petra Ried for establishing gardening clubs in school and of course the students themselves for helping build, plant and maintain our gardens.
We will continue to grow our gardening and our green journey at DGSB."
GREEN BUSINESS AWARD:
She Sells Refills, by the Seashore is a small refills business created by local resident Amy Howie. She provides refillable and eco-friendly products such as household cleaning, toiletries, spices, dried goods such as nuts and rice, and sustainably produced utensils like washing up brushes made of coconut husk. Amy runs refill stations at most local markets in the Dover area, helping to make sure people can access environmentally friendly products and services without having to travel far. She offers a local delivery service which is normally her and her daughter walking to deliver the goods. She is a fixture of the local community and always welcomes people with open arms, is never judgemental and always willing to help.
Upon winning the award, Amy said:
"It's understandably difficult in this economic time but small changes make a big difference. We are always looking to make being Eco friendly as accessible as possible, and encourage everyone to contact us about how we all can make a difference whilst being budget conscious."
LITTER PICKER OF THE YEAR:
Tony Rake – no matter what the weather is like, Tony is out in it all, picking up litter and debris in the village of Ash in a quiet and unassuming way. He doesn't sing from the rooftops or seek acknowledgement for what he does, and is a great example of someone helping out for the environment and local community. He has been described as a 'shining example of a neighbourhood superstar'. He has also inspired a dedicated team to follow his example.
Upon winning the award, Tony said:
"It is a great honour to win this award and I would like to formally recognise the whole team of volunteers who help to keep the village clean. It is really heartwarming to have been nominated by them".
JUNIOR LITTER PICKER OF THE YEAR:
Joshua Chapman - Joshua wanted to buy himself a litter picker so he could clean the route on his walk to school. Since then, he has done litter picks around his village and even earned himself some money from villagers that saw his hard work. His school recognised his litter picking in an assembly and he got a thank you from the headteacher! Josh's class teacher then set up a litter pick including the whole reception class.
Upon winning the award, Joshua said:
"I am really proud of winning and pleased to be recognised for my litter picking."
We are looking to run the Awards again next year, so if you know a community or environmental hero, please be sure to nominate them in 2025!
Previous winners:
To view the 2022 winners, please click here.
To view the 2023 winners, please click here.