Community Awards 2023

Vectis Radio’s Community Awards is designed to recognise the contribution, and celebrate the great work of local community groups and individuals, making a big difference across the Isle of Wight.

The very first Vectis Radio Community Awards ceremony took place on the 31st of March at the Riverside Centre. It was an amazing night with such a wonderful atmosphere and a spirit that was shared across many wonderful organisations, doing fabulous work in our community. Vectis Radio Station Manager, Ian Mac, who compèred the evening with fellow Director Kelvin Currie, said “It was a pleasure to shine light on all those that took part. Congratulations to everybody that came away with a Highly Commended, a Bronze, Silver or a Gold award. The atmosphere was truly supportive with everyone applauding the successes of others. For those who didn’t win an award, just making it to the final puts you in some incredible company and you should be proud.”

The awards were presented by the High Sheriff, Kay Marriott in one of her last events before ending her tenure of the post. Kay said, “What a fabulous event and it was so lovely to see so many familiar faces of those I have met during my year.“

Organiser, Maggie Currie, said, “It was a lot of hard work but it was worth all of it to see the work that so many organisations do across our island who assist and support the community. Part of the reason for holding the awards was to raise awareness of these organisations, some I had no clue about, until now. See you next year!”

The results of the nine categories were:

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Wight Strollers (Gold)

Vectis Wombles (Silver)

Independent Arts (Bronze)

Friends of Ventnor Cemetery (Highly Commended)

NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Better Days Café (Gold)

Friends of Ventnor Cemetery (Silver)

IOW Donkey Sanctuary (Bronze)

Music Craft CIC (Highly Commended)

ISLAND BASED INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Ventnor Community Pantry Box (Gold)

Mad Aid (Silver)

PEOPLE FOCUSED PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Pan Together (Gold)

Swim the Wight (Silver)

Wight Aviation Museum (Bronze)

Storeroom 2010 (Highly Commended)

ANIMAL FOCUSED PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Island Riding Centre (Gold)

Friends of the Animals (Silver)

Ability Dogs 4 Young People (Bronze)

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Lt. Roger Spivey ACF (Gold)

Amy Byford (Silver)

Murray Clark (Bronze)

Maire Reeves (Highly Commended)

CHARITY FUND RAISER OF THE YEAR OVER 18

Sarah Tyrell Jones (Gold)

Peter May (Silver),

Cameron Shirley (Bronze)
Christopher Hayton (Highly Commended)

YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Oscar Field (Gold)

YOUNG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

Macie Edkins Wherry (Gold)

Wesley Brett-Hill (Highly Commended)