The Rainham Community Awards

29/09/2026

🌟 Rainham Celebrates Its Local Heroes! 🌟
2026 Community Awards

Rainham was bursting with pride on Saturday evening as our community came together to honour the incredible people, groups, and organisations who make a real difference in our town. With Phil Gallagher (Mister Maker) and Nicola Everett (kmfm) hosting, the night was packed with inspiring stories, heartfelt moments, and well‑deserved applause.

👏 A huge congratulations to our 2026 Award Winners:

🌿 Wild About Rainham Award
• John & Liz Pell – for their amazing dedication to monitoring Rainham’s birds and wildlife
• Bredhurst Woodland Action Group – for transforming Bredhurst Woodland through fundraising and community action

🌱 Evolving Evo Award
• Twydall Action Group – for bringing colour, care, and encouragement to Twydall

🌼 Great Garden Award
• 30 Boughton Close – for their creative garden ideas and brilliant community library

💪 Health, Wellbeing & Activity Award
• Mel Young (Amazon 24 Fitness) – for reaching the unreached and championing menopause support

💖 Unsung Hero Award
• Megan Quirk (Race for Others) – for creating a go‑karting fundraising for breast cancer support

🏡 Great Neighbour Award
• Aurelie & Martina – for being the friends, helpers, DIY heroes and community‑connectors every neighbourhood wishes they had

🎶 Rainham Creative Award
• Wigmore Voices Community Choir

🏆 Business of the Year
• Sundar Rachana – for raising thousands for charities, supporting emergency services, and welcoming everyone like family

🌟 Volunteer of the Year
• Daphne Stearn (Rainham Guiding) – honoured for her years of dedicated service, presented by Deputy-Lieutenant Brigadier Andrew Wood TD DL VR and Deputy-Lieutenant Dr Gill Fargher DL

💬 RCA Lead, Russell Poynter:
“The Rainham Community Awards are about shining a light on the everyday heroes who often go unnoticed.”

💬 Volunteer of the Year, Daphne Stearn:
“I was truly overwhelmed… it means so much to me.”

The evening was filled with local food, apple juice, laughter, and the joy of celebrating the people who quietly make Rainham better for everyone.

✨ The Rainham Community Awards continue to grow each year — and plans for 2027 are already underway.

29/09/2026

Rainham Celebrates Local Heroes at the 2026 Community Awards Presentation Evening, St Margaret’s Church

The heart of Rainham shone brightly on Saturday evening as residents, community leaders, and special guests gathered at St Margaret’s Church to honour the outstanding individuals, groups, and organisations making a real difference in the local area.
Hosted by Phil Gallagher (Mister Maker) and Nicola Everett (kmfm), the Rainham Community Awards Presentation Evening recognised achievements across a range of categories, from schools to businesses, volunteering to best gardens.
This year’s schools winners included:
* Rainham Girls – young Eco Creator secondary School best poem, best product and eco gardening award
* Fairview Community Primary School - Young Eco Creator best picture
* Miers Court Primary School - Young Eco Creator best picture and best poem
* St Margaret’s of Troy Town, Young Eco Creator best product (eco bunting)
* Holywell Primary young eco Gardening team award
For the Rainham Community Awards the categories and winners are :
* Wild about Rainham Award
- John and Liz Pell for the amazing monitoring of birds and wildlife throughout Rainham and the surrounding areas.
- Bredhurst Woodland Action Group - for the transformation of Bredhurst Woodland, the fundraising and local participation
* Evolving Evo Award - Twydall Action Group for the cleaning, planting and encouragement in Twydall
* Great Garden Award - 30 Boughton Close for their fun ideas and community library
* Health, Wellbeing & Activity Award - Mel Young (Amazon 24 Fitness) for reaching the unreached and leading menopause support
* Unsung Hero Award - Megan Quirk (Race for Others) creating a go-karting race raising money for breast cancer support
* Great Neighbour - Aurelie and Martina - a friend, helper, DIY expert and brings the community together.
* Rainham Creative Award - Wigmore Voices Community Choir
* Business of the Year - Sundar Rachana with a real connection to the community and has raised thousands and contributed to local charities, local emergency services and welcomes everyone like a true friend.
* Volunteer of the year - was presented to Daphne Stearn by Deputy Lieutenant Brigadier Andrew Wood TD DL VR and Deputy Lieutenant Dr. Gill Fargher, for all the work Daphne has done for Rainham Guiding over the years.
The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, inspiring stories, and moments of reflection on the power of community spirit. Attendees enjoyed local food and apple juice, and the chance to connect with fellow residents who share a passion for making Rainham a better place for all.
Quote from Organiser:
“The Rainham Community Awards are about shining a light on the everyday heroes who often go unnoticed,” said Russell Poynter, RCA Lead.
Quote from Volunteer of the Year Winner:
“I was truly overwhelmed on my award it means so much to me,” said Daphne Stearn (Rainham Guiding)
The Rainham Community Awards are an annual celebration, open to public nominations, and supported by local sponsors and volunteers. Plans are already underway for next year’s event,

Sponsors :
- Brewers Decorating Centres - Evolving Eco Award
- John Weir Funeral Directors - Wild about Rainham Award
- Sapphire Care (Kent) Ltd - Health, Wellness & Activity Award
- Rainham Baha’i Community : Unsung Hero Award
- Kayleigh Steven’s Property Consultancy: Great Neighbour Award
- Ellinor’s Ice Cream : Business of the Year

25/07/2026

Nominate your Hero / Local Business / Garden / Neighbour today: https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

Help celebrate the amazing people. - Nominate each person/group on their own form in a single category The Rainham Community Awards are open to all the community - Organisations / individuals should be based or live within Rainham and all activities should take place within Rainham (Hempstead, Lower...

13/07/2026

Know someone who is amazing - don't leave it too long to tell us!

02/07/2026

Time for your business to stand out - Tell us why you should win???
https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

22/06/2026

🌼 Great Garden Award –Open for Nominations!
Whether it’s beautifully kept or wild and wonderfully free, we want to celebrate the gardens that make Rainham smile. You can even nominate an address you admire as you walk by.
🌿 Nominate your favourite garden here: https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

15/06/2026

🌟 Introducing the Unsung Hero Award! Celebrating those who work quietly behind the scenes — the people and groups whose efforts often go unnoticed but make a lasting difference in our community.
💫 Proudly sponsored by The Rainham Bahá’í Community, whose support helps us shine a light on those who truly deserve recognition.
Nominate your Unsung Hero today: https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

09/06/2026

Nominate for a Health, Wellness & Activity Award
This award celebrates the individuals and groups who enhance others’ mental, physical, and emotional well being or help promote active lifestyles across our community — from carers and coaches to wellness leaders and everyday heroes who inspire others to live healthier, happier lives. Nominate today: https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

This award is sponsored by Sapphire Care (Kent) Ltd, whose commitment to excellence in home care reflects the same compassion and dedication we honour through this category. It is only through the generosity of sponsors like Sapphire Care that these awards can take place and continue to celebrate the people making Rainham stronger and more connected.
Let’s celebrate those who help our community thrive — body, mind, and spirit.
https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

03/06/2026

Did you know? Even ice cream can power community spirit! 🍨
Thanks to Ellinor’s Ice Cream, the Business of the Year Award is ready to shine a spotlight on Rainham’s best.
From accountants to architects, bakeries to barbers, cafés to construction, — Rainham’s business community keeps our town thriving. Let’s celebrate those who go above and beyond!
👉 https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026

28/05/2026

Open for Nominations! https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026
A celebration of imagination, artistry, and colour — honouring those who bring creativity to life across our community.
From painters and performers to storytellers and designers, this award shines a light on Rainham’s creative spirit. 🌈✨
Nominate today: https://bit.ly/RCAwards2026