BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Achievement Awards 2008

An awards ceremony will be held on 27 October 2008 to recognise the significant contributions made by individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic communities to Kent life.

The Award winners will be invited to a civic lunch at County Hall, Maidstone, hosted by the Chairman of the County Council. They will also be invited to an awards ceremony where they can be joined by family and friends.

Previous award winners

• Claudette Bramble - Founder of the West Indian Association and their football team manager. Claudette was also Kent's first female Black Magistrate

• Angie Jones - An innovative youth worker from the Gypsy community who plays an active role helping young Gypsies and Irish Travellers.

• SQD Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji, DFC - Volunteered from India as a 20-year-old pilot to help defend Kent during World War II. Awarded the distinguished Flying Cross for saving 300 American soldiers surrounded by Japanese troops in the Burmese jungle.

• Gurbakhsh Singh Sivia - Came to Kent from Punjab, India. A retired teacher, he now attends Guru Nanak Day Centre for older people. He has raised over £400,000 for disability charities in India and Kent through sponsored walks and donations

• Farida Usman - Farida is a retired KCC home/school outreach worker who came to Kent from Pakistan. She has undertaken substantial voluntary work with health, social care andeducation/youth work. Farida founded the Kent Muslim Women's Group and is the Chair of the Soroptimists

Make a nomination

Make your nomination for a Black and Minority Ethnic local hero.

Nominations can come from individuals, groups or statutory organisations.

Complete an online nomination form. Alternatively print a copy of the application form and information leaflet.

Please make you nominations before 1 September 2008. Your nomination will be assessed with members of the UNITE (BME staff) Core Group and five award winners will be chosen.