Last Thursday was a night full of excitement, glamour, and anticipation as part of the 21 Together team made their way to The Corn Exchange in Rochester. All dressed up and ready for the big occasion, we eagerly awaited the announcement of the Kent Charity of the Year Awards. This year, we were incredibly proud to be nominated once again—this time as a finalist in the "Community Charity of the Year" category.

Being shortlisted for the second time felt like a huge achievement in itself, but the thrill of the evening only added to the sense of celebration. The atmosphere was electric, with over 30 charities and individuals coming together to celebrate the incredible work happening across Kent.

Sarah MacDonald, a key figure from the Kent Charity Awards team, captured the essence of the event perfectly:

“The 2024 Kent Charity Awards finalists represent a diverse and dedicated group of charities and individuals committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others. These awards not only celebrate their remarkable achievements but also highlight the incredible work that is happening in Kent within the charity sector.”

Being part of such an inspiring gathering of like-minded people—each committed to making the world a better place—was truly an honour. It was a celebration not just of our work, but of the collective success of Kent's entire charity community.

While we hoped to take home the win, we are proud to have lost to the very deserving Halpern Charitable Foundation/Nucleus Arts. Their incredible contributions to the community made them a more-than-worthy recipient of the award, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them.

We also want to take a moment to thank you—our amazing supporters. Without your ongoing love and encouragement, we would never have made it this far. Your support means everything to us, and we share this recognition with all of you.

So, what’s next? Well, you just might see us back at the awards next year... Fingers crossed!

Want to know more about the event? You can read all about the awards here.

Here’s to many more milestones and magical moments ahead!