TONIGHT’S the night when Basingstoke and Deane’s community heroes will be recognised and honoured at the A Place to be Proud of Awards 2024.

There are so many fabulous local people, great businesses and community organisations in Basingstoke and Deane – and the 21st edition of the prestigious A Place to be Proud of Awards is looking forward to showcasing these community stars in 2024.

Now in its third decade, the A Place to be Proud of Awards have recognised and rewarded hundreds of people, businesses, organisations and projects since they started in 2003.

For 2024, the awards are at a new venue, as the Apollo Hotel, Basingstoke, has come on board as joint headline sponsor, with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Many other long-standing sponsors have also returned, and there are several new categories after the team at event organiser Destination Basingstoke widened the scope of community recognition.

The award categories for 2024 are:

  • Above and Beyond – sponsored by Castle Trust Bank
  • Health & Wellbeing – sponsored by Lilly UK
  • Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Beaufort Financial (Reading)
  • Green Community Champion – sponsored by Tomato Energy
  • Young Role Model – sponsored by Queen Mary’s College
  • Community Project – sponsored by VIVID
  • Charity of the Year – sponsored by Basingstoke Voluntary Action
  • Unsung Hero – sponsored by Absolutely Offices
  • Sports Club of the Year – sponsored by Apollo Hotel
  • Sports Personality of the Year (Junior and Senior) – sponsored by Apollo Hotel
  • Inspirational Educator – sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
  • Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke

Destination Basingstoke partnered with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Basingstoke Voluntary Action, and Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council to help ensure the call to nominate reached every part of the local community. The Gazette, which was a founder of the awards in 2003, is the main media partner for the 21st year.

Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, said: “Destination Basingstoke is proud to organise the awards as they are at the heart of what DB does – showcasing, and celebrating, the amazing individuals, businesses and community organisations that make Basingstoke and Deane a place to be proud of.

“We are delighted that so many sponsors have continued with their support for these prestigious awards, and we are also delighted to have welcomed some new sponsors for 2024. Without the sponsors and event partners, the awards would not happen so massive thanks to all of them.”

You can read all about the categories, and how who the finalists are, by going to destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/a-place-to-be-proud-of.