Community Awards 2025

Held bi-annually, this event is in partnership with Ashdown Radio to celebrate the incredible work and efforts of those in our community.

With the 2025 awards now passed, our thanks once again to our friends at Ashdown Radio, to all of the sponsors, to everyone who nominated someone, to all of our finalists, and to everyone who went out of their way to help better our community.

These awards shine a light on some of the amazing efforts, and give a little recognition to that, but it’s truly inspiring seeing how many work so hard to better the lives of others. Thank you again.

 

Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Cooper & Son (part of CPJ Field)

Finalists: Amy Clark, Lynne Ireland, Paul Ireland.

Charity Fundraiser of the Year – Sponsored by CJ Thorne & Co

Finalists: Gav Collins, Louis Chavannes, Sarah Hill.

Sporting Achievement of the Year – Sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors

Finalists: Butterfly Buckley-Ashford, Charlie Wilkinson, Meg Markwick.

Young Person of the Year – Sponsored by Simmons Gainsford

Announced on the night.

Teacher of the Year – Sponsored by Uckfield Chamber of Commerce

Finalists: Frann Newman from Sir Henry Fermor Primary School in Crowborough, Sarah Levett from Uckfield College, Sarah Puttock from Buxted Primary School.

Carer of the Year – Sponsored by Wealden Funeral Services

Finalists: Claire Grover-Forde, Jody Bishop, Lydfords Care Home.

Community Group Award – Sponsored by Dawson Hart Solicitors

Finalists: Holy Cross Church Uckfield’s Very Chatty Cafe, Smiles Sensory and Family Farm, Uckfield Community First Responders.

Arts and Culture Award – Sponsored by East Sussex National Hotel

Finalists: Carer’s O’Clock, Uckfield Theatre Guild, Victoria Pavilion Arts.

Community Green Award – Sponsored by Wealden District Council

Finalists: Repair Cafe Uckfield, Rotherfield St Martin Kitchen Garden Crew, Selby Meadow.

Parent/Guardian of the Year – Sponsored by Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors

Announced on the night.

Charity of the Year – Sponsored by Lawson Commercial

Finalists: Children’s Respite Trust, Uckfield Bonfire & Carnival Society, Wealden Works.

Emergency Services Person of the Year – Sponsored by Rose Gas

Finalists: Colin Packham, Jake Isted, Megan Imber.

Good Neighbour of the Year – Sponsored by Barchester Healthcare

Finalists: Alison Stitt, Beverley Pashley, Christine Howard.

Service to Our Community Award – Sponsored by Phoenix Health Hub

Announced on the night.

Winners of the 2023 awards

Carer of the Year– Sponsored by Cooper & Son
Winner: Tom Chapman

Charity Fundraiser of the Year – Sponsored by Uckfield Motor Services
Winner: Daniel Booth

Charity of the Year – Sponsored by Lawson Commercial
Winner: Ridgewood Village Hall

Community Green Award – Sponsored by Wealden District Council
Winner: Uckfield Community Fridge

Emergency Services Person of the Year – Sponsored by CJ Thorne and Co
Winner: Sue Choppin

Give Back to the Community – Sponsored by Parfitt Cresswell
Winner: Smiles Sensory & Family Farm

Good Neighbour of the Year – Sponsored by Wealden Funerals
Winner: Heidi Greenwood

Happiest Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Rose Gas
Winner: Sammi Kedwards

Parent/Guardian of the Year – East Sussex National
Winner: Sophie Hillum

Teacher of the Year – Sponsored by Uckfield Chamber of Commerce
Winner: Daisy-Anne Mayhew, Blackboys C of E Primary School

Service to our Community  – Awarded by Uckfield Volunteer Centre
Winner: Lynne Ireland

Sports Person of the Year – Sponsored by The Beauty Spot
Winner: Molly Tye

Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Fuller & Scott
Winner: Marion Love

Young Person of the Year – Sponsored by Dawson Hart Solicitors
Winner: Albert French

Winners of the 2022 awards

Young Volunteer of the Year Award: Kimberley Stevens
For her work with Artytime as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Ryan Millns
For his dedication and enthusiasm as programme director at Ashdown Radio a voluntary role that is essential to the smooth running of the radio.

Service to our Community Award: Andrew Ledward
Andrew started volunteering as a teenager and has helped many organisations in Uckfield over about 40 years from maintaining beautiful spaces to reviewing accounts for charities and lots in between.