Vectis Radio Announces Finalists For 2024 Isle Of Wight Community Awards

Vectis Radio has announced the finalists for its 2024 Community Awards.

This is only the second year of these awards and the ceremony, sponsored by the Waterfront Bar & Restaurant, Totland Bay, will be held on Friday, March 15 at The Riverside Centre in Newport from 6.30pm.

The High Sheriff, Dawn Haig-Thomas, will present the awards in the following categories:

• Community Project of the Year
• New Community Project/Organisation of The Year
• Island Based International Project/Organisation of The Year
• Animal Focused Community Project/Organisation of The Year
• People Focused Community Project/Organisation of The Year
• Charity Fundraiser of The Year
• Volunteer of The Year
• Most Inspirational Person in the Community Award (New for 2024)

Dawn Haig-Thomas will make a number of awards at the ceremony

The Most Inspirational Person award was decided by public vote from a list provided by the judges.

At the close of the polls there were nearly 2,000 votes cast in total.

This year there are two additional categories. Firstly, one suggested by the panel of judges for overall Community Hero.

The Judges said:

“Having seen the standard of the entries this year we found that there are so many great people working for, and supporting, our Island community that we decided this needed to be recognised.

"To do this we asked for an additional category of Overall Community Hero and one person from the finalists list will be named on the evening.”

Secondly, there is also an overall Community Champion as decided by the Vectis Radio team.

Station Manager, Ian Mac said:

“We like to add our own personal thanks to someone who has not only assisted Vectis Radio, but works hard to support community organisations across the Island.

"This award does just that. It is our personal award to a special person."

The Finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Community Project of the Year
Free Food In The Bay
IOW Prostate Cancer Support Group
Older Persons Good living Show
Wight Horse CIC

New Community Project/Organisation of The Year
Creationz Dance Academy
Men Only IOW
Pan Together
IOW Round Table
Sandown Carnval

Island Based International Project/Organisation of The Year
Kafuta Tumbung School
Mad Aid
Animal Focused Community Project/Organisation of The Year
Cats Protection IOW
Friends of the Animals
IOW Donkey Sanctuary
RSPCA IOW

People Focused Community Project/Organisation of The Year
Free Food in the Bay
IOW Prostate Cancer Support Group
Music Craft CIC
Veterans' Hub IW
Charity Fundraiser of The Year
Clive Ford
Kathryn Grimes
Sarah Tyrrell-Jones
Terry & Sue Ramplin

Volunteer of The Year
Graham Cherry – Foodbank
Terrence Cripps – Age UK
Su Goodridge – RSPCA IOW
Dale Hillier – Veterans Hub
Simon Ledger - TrackAdog

Most Inspirational Person in the Community Award (New for 2024)
Jane Allchorn – Community Spirited Café
Kirsty Chapman – Better Days Café
Tim Gibbs – Yarmouth Pharmacy
Dale Hillier – Veterans Hub IOW
Jon & Rob Keywood – Ace Waste
Kelly Marrison – Burlesque Chair Dance
Michael Paler
Alan Taylor – IOW Prostate Cancer Support Group

Event Organiser, Maggie Currie, said:

“Once again our panel of independent judges had a really difficult job sorting through all the high-quality applications and our heartfelt thanks go out to them.

“Again, this year we wanted to hold a ceremony that put the finalists in their well-deserved spotlight, but also wanted it to be affordable and comfortable.

"That’s why we’ve kept the price as low as we can and ask that you come dressed however you feel comfortable. Glam or casual, whatever you want.”

Tickets for the event are available at just £10 each through the Vectis Radio website and follow the links to choose your seat.