News


downsmail.co.uk Medal rewards charitywork


AVOLUNTEER for theMaidstone-based Young Lives Foundation (YLF) has been recognised for his decades of charitywork.


Dennis James has been awarded


the League of Mercy medal after being nominated by the College Road based YLF. Mr James, himself a father of


two, acts on behalf of vulnerable children and adults, ensuring their welfare through the custody process andage assessmentswhen they have been arrested and taken to police custody or arrived ille- gally in the country. Hewaspresentedwithhis badge


in July by The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield at the ceremony held at The Mansion House, City of Lon- don, in the presence of HRH Princess Katerina of Yugoslavia, and LordMayor of London. The 75-year-old volunteer has


devoted 40 years to helping in the social and educational sector, “en-


Poll pressure


THE way the borough council elects its members could change after pressure fromtheConserva- tive oppositionmembers. The Tories have argued holding


one poll every four years is cheaper than three elections in each four-year cycle. Tory opposition leader atMaid-


stone Borough Council (MBC), Staplehurst’s Cllr John Perry be- lieves substantial savings could bemade. The proposal will be discussed


in greater detail in November by Lib Dem-ledMBC.


Kentish talk


THE White Horse of Kent is the ubiquitous symbol of the county butwhat exactly does itmean? James Lloyd takes on the chal-


lenge to explain the charger and its history atMaidstone Library. His lecture at the library in


James Whatman Way runs from 1-2pmonMonday, October 21. Admission is free.


Minister role


LOCAL MP Helen Whately has been appointed a Government minister. Mrs Whately, the member for


Faversham and Mid-Kent, joins the Department for Digital, Cul- ture, Media & Sports (DCMS) with a brief to oversee UK gam- bling.


26 Maidstone November 2019


young people are supported and that they understand what is hap- pening to themwhile inpolice cus- tody. Mr James said: “The variedchar-


itable activities that I have been in- volved in over the years have been very rewarding. “The work with the migrant ar-


rivals can sometimes be harrowing when you hear the problems that they have experienced on their journey to theUK, but having built up trust with the young people, it was good to be called uncle by the youngmen.Helpingpeople can be very rewarding and informative.” YLF is appealing for more vol-


abling those youngpeoplewho are disadvantaged, disabled or from ethnicminorities toparticipate and feel part of their communities”,


says YLF. For the past seven years forYLF,


he has assisted Kent Police to en- sure that vulnerable adults and


unteers. For more information, please visit


their website


www.ylf.org.uk or contact themon 01622 693459.


Race to say thanks Dinner date


A MAIDSTONE mum is running a half marathon to thank staff who cared for her daughter, following years of support from the paediatric ophthalmology department atMaidstone Hospital. Laura Kennedy is taking on the Royal ParksHalfMarathon nextmonth


to raise funds for the hospital’s dedicated char- ity, the Maid- stone


and


Tunbridge Wells NHS Charitable Fund. Laura’s eldest Isla


daughter


(eight) was diag- nosed with a problem with fo- cusing her eyes, that can affect vision at all dis- tances. Laura, who the


works for


trust as fundrais- ing manager said: “Isla’s diag- nosis was a real shock as there is no family history of childhood eye impairments. “The staff have been great over the years and really listened to us as


a family. It’s just nice to be able to give something back in a small way and I am hoping to raise £500. Isla is now flourishing at school in Pri- mary 4 and her eyesight has now stabilised which is brilliant.” To sponsor Laura, donate via www.justgiving.com/runningformtw or


send a cheque made payable to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to SueOsborne, FinanceDepartment, Level 1, TrustManagement, Maidstone Hospital, Hermitage Lane,ME16 9QQ. The Royal Parks HalfMarathon took place on Sunday, October 13.


for Legion


THE Royal British Legion in Aylesford is set to benefit from a fundraiser organised by a local businesswoman. With 2019 Poppy Appeal fast


approaching, Victoria Jones of Tori’sWellness, is hosting another annual dinner dance and auction on Saturday, October 26. Victoria said: “Each day our


armed forces provide an incredi- ble service to our country in all kinds ofways,many ofwhichwe don’t necessarily see, but all of which impact our lives”. The money raised on the night


will enable the RBL to continue its vital work delivering life-long support to service personnel and their families through hardships, injuries and bereavements. The charity uses donations in


many ways, including providing crisis grants, sport and art-based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, lobbying the gov- ernment on issues that affect our community and advising and supporting with benefits and money issues. The dinner dance is being held


at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. Tickets are £38 per person and include a welcome drink, three-course dinner, an auction of exclusive items and music fromthe live band Vertigo. Contact Victoria to book your ticketswww.toriswellness.com.


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