Give a big hand for local CHARITIES


From sponsored runs to running shops and cafes, charity supporters in Kent find a variety of imaginative ways to raise the funds needed for their chosen causes. Here, we look at how volunteers and workers from four charities are helping to make a difference.


Heart of Flavour Great food and drink for a great cause.


There is something truly magical about Heart of Flavour located in King Street, Maidstone with its light bright space, rustic furniture and Kentish products.


Scott Fitzgerald, and his team which includes staff and volunteers, have a real passion for creating simple but delicious dishes using fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. If you are starting the new year with a resolution to eat healthy, this is the ideal place.


Scott, who is head of catering and


hospitality for the Heart of Kent Hospice, is focusing on a host of fresh ideas, including a gluten-free corner offering freshly-baked pizzas, toasties and paninis for those with special diets.


Besides the


welcoming café bar downstairs, there is now an elegant hospitality suite on the upper floor which is a stunning venue for weddings, conferences and corporate events. It leads on to an outside terrace which Scott hopes to transform into a patio area for al fresco food and drinks.


Heart of Flavour is open every day


except Sunday and offers a wide choice of barista coffees, cakes and pastries, afternoon tea, a delicious hot or cold lunch, or a drink and deli platter after work.


All the profits go to Heart of Kent


Hospice so you can enjoy great food while supporting a good cause.


28 Mid Kent Living


Spadework A crop of fresh ideas including a monthly farmers’ market is helping an Offham charity to keep its bank balance blossoming.


Spadework provides training and


work experience for 90 adults with learning and other disabilities at its base in Teston Road where clients grow the produce sold in the farm shop and café.


One of its biggest successes was the launch of the Offham Farmers’ Market, now in its fourth year and held on the second Saturday of each month. The market, which is held at Spadework, enables the charity to sell its freshly-picked fruit and veg, as well as cakes, jam and chutneys.


Starting small with 15 stalls and 100


customers, the market rapidly went from strength to strength, expanding to 30 stalls and 500 customers.


The range of local, high quality goods on offer includes drinks, chilli sauces, pastries and vegan, vegetarian and meat-based hand- made snacks and ready meals. There is often a cookery demonstration as well as live music for visitors to enjoy while they shop. Market opening times are 10am to 1pm.


If you are unable to get along to the


farmers’ market, Spadework has a farm shop selling local produce and a café which are open every day.


Steph hits money milestone Champion fundraiser Steph Harrison is one of Breast Cancer Care’s most dedicated supporters.


After being diagnosed with breast


cancer seven years ago, Steph, who is based in Sevenoaks, began raising money for the charity in a huge range of ways and recently passed the fundraising milestone of £100,000.


To raise this amazing amount,


Steph organised bucket collections, fundraising events, book signings with novelists Martina Cole and Susan Lewis and Sevenoaks Pink Week which included a sportathon and pink party.


Speaking of her involvement with the charity, Steph said: “Breast Cancer Care is there to support everyone facing breast cancer. It is a second family to me and I just can’t imagine not being part of it.”


The charity’s chief


executive Samia al Qadhi said: “As one of our most active supporters, Steph has always been a huge asset to the charity, but to reach a £100,000 fundraising total is phenomenal.”


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