Local charities receive cheques from Achievers Awards

Presiding over the event was Observer Group Editor Peter Lindsey who thanked all the sponsors for their support of the Bexhill Achiever Awards '“ an event, proudly organised by the Bexhill Observer in conjunction with the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, which recognises the achievements of those who do so much for Bexhill - which he described as being: "A great event, where you hear so many amazing stories on the night, and which also raises money for local charities."

Attending the presentation were Chairman of Rother District Council Joanne Gadd, along with representatives from the sponsors of the Bexhill Achiever Awards and the De La Warr Pavilion; without whom this important local event would not be possible.

As main sponsor of the Awards, The Cooden Beach Hotel was a fitting venue for the presentation ceremony, and owner James Kimber was delighted to hand over the cheques to representatives from the four charities.

This years chosen charities, who each received a cheque for 750, were Infertility Network UK, Homecall, The Sara Lee Trust and the SASBAH appeal.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Sara Lee Trust were Dr Jeremy and Mrs Sally Lee.

Mrs Lee explained that the charity provides complimentary therapies for cancer and terminally ill patients.

She said: "People come to us after they have received some horrible treatments. This is the end of a patients journey; we support them at the end of their time."

Jenny Private of Homecall gave heartfelt thanks on receiving the cheque and said that not too long ago the charity was in danger of coming to an end as it was suffering, "severe financial difficulties."

However, a fund-raising campaign, arranged in conjunction with the Bexhill Observer, began in earnest, and thanks to the generosity of the people of Bexhill enough was raised to enable the charity to continue it's vital contribution to the local community - which Jenny feels many people who are partially sighted may not know about.

She said: "We are a home visiting scheme for people who are registered blind or partially sighted, we cover Bexhill and the surrounding area.

People who are partially sighted might not know about us because of the fact that they can't see well. We are very happy to help either by befriending or helping with correspondence."

Two ladies who are the driving force behind Infertility Network UK, Clare Lewis-Jones and Claire Ogilvy said they were, "very grateful" for the donation as they, "struggle for funding".

The charity, which is based in Bexhill, helps couples throughout the UK who are having difficulty conceiving '“ a problem which affects one in six couples.

Cllr Joanne Gadd said she chose SASBAH as her charity of the year after visiting the United Arab Emirates technical training project in Bexhill.

A charity which touched a personal chord, she said: "My son was born with Spina Bifida and he died when he was thirty one, so after visiting the UAE I decided that would be my charity of the year."

She added: "There are more facilities for Spina Bifida sufferers now and they are living longer, some out-live their parents and SASBAH is there to help them."

In addition to the cheque donations there was a special presentation of a belated 999 Achiever Award given to Bexhill police officer, Sargent Che Donald.

He received the award for his courage whilst in the line of duty following an incident in Sidley which he was involved in, where a man wielding an axe, and a six inch carving knife - whom Sgt. Donald said was, "seeking retribution." - was on foot and loose in the town.

He said: "There were three males in a car who were chasing the person concerned '“ it could have been mayhem."

However, Sgt. Donald, along with two of his colleagues, came upon the men in the car at the same time as the person concerned appeared out of bushes and he was subsequently arrested.

He said: "We were able to get him to comply without any violence or any risk to the public."

The celebration concluded with Ainsley Gill, President of the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, expressing his thanks to all involved with another successful Bexhill Achievers Awards.

For more information on the above named charities visit the websites at: