Awards given to volunteer heroes

People who give up their time to help others have been honoured at the Kent Awards for Volunteering Excellence.

The annual ceremony saw more than 650 nominations this year, with a total of 47 winners and highly commended entries across eight award categories.

"We're seeing a lot of young people coming up which is most encouraging," said Kent County Council's Mike Hill.

The winners included two sisters who dedicated themselves to fund-raising after their mother died of cancer.

They've done some marvellous work and well deserve their awards Mike Hill, Kent County Council

Samantha and Kirsty Spratt, who are 14 and 13, have raised thousands for Breakthrough Breast Cancer by organising charity walks and selling crocus pins in the Canterbury area.

They were one of the winners in the Welfare and Disability category.

Also honoured at Sunday's ceremony in Maidstone were:

The Swan Valley Peer Mentors scheme in Swanscombe, where secondary school children give up their time to help other pupils with peer pressure issues

A man who almost single-handedly organises and raises money for the annual St Dunstan's Street Festival in Canterbury

A scheme in Swanley where "befrienders" provide companionship for older people

A group which has tackled fly-tipping and illegal vehicle use in ancient woodland near Gillingham

The Jugnu Bhangra group, which "promotes cultural harmony" by teaching Bhangra dance and Dhol drumming to young people in Gravesend

"They've done some marvellous work and well deserve their awards," said Mike Hill.