‘Inspirational’ Dartford Young Person of the Year 2019 announced at Dartford Business Awards Ceremony, Bluewater

by | Oct 2, 2019 | Dartford Business, Dartford News, Dartford Schools, Education

As the largest provider of further education in Dartford, North Kent College believes in the potential of young people to achieve their career goals, especially with the help of small local business whose support is fundamental to these young people’s success.

At last Thursday’s Dartford Business Awards, NKC sponsored the ‘Young Person of the Year’ Award to celebrate local talent and skills.
With 8 nominees from Dartford-based employers and training providers, it was a tough decision for the panel of judges, however the winner stood out as an inspirational apprentice, dedicated to helping fellow young disabled people overcome adversity.

Charlie Randell, a marketing apprentice with the Hug Group, was announced as the winner at the dinner organised by Dartford Borough Council and hosted by Bluewater on the 19th September, in front of local businesses and 100s of their employees.

Lara Pool, Business Development Manager said “We have sponsored the Dartford Business Awards for two years now, celebrating the talent and employability skills local young people develop whilst in further education and with employers on placements, work experience and apprenticeships.
This year’s winner Charlie Randell, a marketing apprentice with the Hug Group, has an inspirational story, using social media and digital channels to encourage other disabled young people to reach their potential. We were delighted to present his award to him last night.”

In his nomination, Andy Davies of the Hug Group said of Charlie “Despite being a wheelchair user, Charlie has always strive dto overcome his disability, attended mainstream school and has led a more active life than most. He has an exceptional talent for swimming and was close to representing GB at the Paralympics in 2016.He was an ambassador for Whizz-Kidz for 5 years, helping transform the lives of other young people with disabilities.”

What really made him stand out to the judges however was his dedication to helping others with disabilities succeed, by setting up his multi-channel digital platform NQPC Not Quite Politically Correct – where disability is discussed openly, even subjects many people try to avoid.

Charlie released a video earlier this year showing the challenges he faced trying to find an employer able to accommodate a wheelchair user – he got 27,000 views on Linked In and caught the eye of Andy Davies at the Hug Group, who offered him an interview. He is now their Social Media Manager, proving that sheer determination, a talent for communication and an infectious enthusiasm can overcome any barriers.
It was quite a shock to win the “Young Person Of The Year Award!” As such a determined individual, it is sometimes hard for me to take a step back and appreciate what I have achieved. Winning this award has really made me realise just how far I have come. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far.” Said a delighted Charlie.

The other 7 nominees were: Hollie Evans an NKC student doing voluntary work with Eden Counselling and Training who received a highly commended award; Charlie Fairway, Orchard Garages motor vehicle apprentice with NKC; Jordan Parkinson, NKC placement student at Blue Rocket Accounting; Michael Barnett, NKC electrical student on placement with PLP Fire; Jamie Spencer, accounting placement with BDP International and Leo Dole and Balraj Singh, both NKC engineering placement students at Evans Turner.

Messy Dash Makes a Big Impact- Local Families and Supporters Raise £21,000 for We Are Beams

In an explosion of colour, laughter, and community spirit, over 1,000 participants took part in the We Are Beams Messy Dash on Sunday 6th July, raising an outstanding £21,000 to support disabled children and their families. Held at Dartford...

Ben Portsmouth brings the ULTIMATE Elvis experience to Orchard West on Sunday, 31st August

Ben is not just a tribute artist; he is the real deal, being regarded as the closest living performer to the legendary Elvis Presley. With global success in over 20 countries, Ben Portsmouth brings energy, passion and authenticity in a way that no one else can...

HAMILTON’S CLEVE SEPTEMBER RETURNS IN TITLE ROLE OF ALADDIN AT ORCHARD WEST THIS CHRISTMAS

Having won Dartford audiences over in his performance in panto last year at Orchard West, the Olivier Award-nominated Cleve September is set to return this season in the title role of Aladdin. Cleve will take centre stage alongside the previously announced TV...

Two days of entertainment and activity coming to Dartford

Get ready for two days of incredible entertainment as the Big Day Out weekend returns to Dartford’s Central Park on 12-13 July, bringing with it live music, vintage steam vehicles, family-friendly activities, and more – all completely free! Saturday will kick-off with...

FIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE

OPEN AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED!Your Chance to Shine in This Year’s Magical Pantomime Aladdin! Orchard West and Imagine Theatre are on the lookout for a shining star as they launch open auditions toFIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE! Aspiring performers are invited to attend auditions...

New social supermarket opens in Dartford

Dartford Larder, a new social supermarket designed to provide an alternative to Foodbanks, has officially opened in Dartford. Situated in Copperfields Walk, Dartford Larder aims to: provide an affordable shopping experience, tackle food insecurity, and resolve food...

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | JUNE-JULY EDITION

Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine. Before I begin, please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of content recently. It has been a hectic...

How to transform your home on a budget 

By Qashish Dhiraj Mehta  Giving your apartment a makeover can feel like a uphill task. With a limited budget and limited space, every piece of furniture, every decoration, and every storage solution has to work overtime. But here’s the good news: a tight pocket...

Your Plans, Our Support: How Wave Community Bank support the local community with affordable loans

Life in Dartford and the surrounding areas often brings new opportunities and unexpected needs. Whether you're dreaming of solar panels on your roof to cut energy bills, need a new car for the daily commute, or simply require a smaller loan to by a...

Why Your Savings Belong at Wave Community Bank (Especially if You’re in Dartford!)

When it comes to stashing away your hard-earned money, you've got options. Big banks, online-only institutions, and then there's your local credit union. While the giants often grab the headlines, there's a compelling case to be made for choosing a credit union...