THEY are long-standing supporters of the A Place to be Proud of Awards – and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is delighted to be the headline sponsor for this year’s 20th anniversary milestone event.

The borough council has supported the awards for many years and has increased its involvement to be the overall event sponsor for the 2023 Awards.

Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “Over the last 20 years, we have celebrated individuals, groups, organisations, places and initiatives that make our borough a diverse, vibrant community and a great place to live and do business.

“The awards were set up by the council, Destination Basingstoke, Festival Place and the Local Strategic Partnership, and they showcase the very best of our borough.”

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Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, which organises the awards, said: “We are delighted that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are this year’s overall event sponsor of the milestone 20th anniversary awards.

“The borough council is among the long-standing supporters of the awards and their involvement is a great show of support for the event and the people, businesses, and community groups who make Basingstoke and Deane a place to be proud of.”

It was back in 2003 that the first awards were launched – and since then, hundreds of wonderful finalists and winners have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in, or contributions to, Basingstoke and Deane.

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There are a range of categories, sponsored by local businesses. The categories are:

  • Health and Wellbeing Award – sponsored by Lilly
  • Community Project Award – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke
  • Above and Beyond Award – sponsored by Castle Trust Bank
  • Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Beaufort Financial (Reading)
  • Arts and Entertainment Award – sponsored by Basingstoke Community Radio
  • Young Role Model Award – sponsored by Queen Mary’s College 
  • Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Champion Group
  • Business and the Community Award – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs

Destination Basingstoke has again partnered with Basingstoke Voluntary Action and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help ensure the call to nominate reached every part of the local community. Gazette Newspapers, which was a founder of the awards in 2003, is the media partner for the 20th year, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the overall event sponsor.