On May 12th, at an Afternoon Tea awards ceremony held at the Clifton Hotel in Folkestone, we announced the Shepway Inspirational Woman of the Year for 2018.

Many of our nominees attended with their supporters and nominators, and all proceeds raised from the event will be donated to The Shepway Foodbank.  Nominations were received from the public for a Shepway woman that they felt had made a significant difference to either their business, local community or overcome personal circumstances.

Nominations were received for the following local women: Gillian Ayling,  Susan Carey, Julie Hanbury. Pam Jones, Paula McCormack,  Sarah Noble, Cllr Patricia Rolfe, Kerry Ryan,  Jo Shapter, Joanna Strickland, Maureen Walby, Joy White. – Our congratulations go to all of the Nominees!  All nominees were awarded a certificate and a pen by Mayor Ann Berry.

Highly Commended was given to Jo Shapter for her work with the homeless footcare clinic and the fundraising she does.  A really fantastic achievement Jo

We received the following quote from Jo after the event:

I am thrilled to have received this award and truly grateful to everyone who has nominated me. As well as their patience and support with allowing me to get the homeless foot clinic underway and helping me with fundraising to make it a continuing event. I was delighted to have so many supporters attend the event with me and feel truly blessed to have such a strong support network within the local community and of course my family and friends.  My children are very impressed that Mummy came home with a trophy so everyone is happy!

Shepway Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018 was announced as………..

Joanna Strickland 

Joanna was nominated for setting up the and growing the Folkestone Business Hub to support other small businesses and charities, taking caravans over to home refugees in Calais and being a regular visit to camps with supplies, setting up a catering business  and employing young people to run it .  Also she is in the process of setting up another Healthy Eating catering business.  All of this whilst running her own accountancy business and overcoming personal illness.

Congratulations Joanna, truly inspirational.

  Our judging panel were impressed by the diversity of what you have achieved. 

Watch this space to see how you can nominate for next’s years award.