On Thursday 18th June, we were lucky enough to host our very first Eastbourne Community Awards, and what a night it was!
Working alongside our friends at Bournefree Magazine, we brought together some of the most inspiring people from across Eastbourne for an evening dedicated to celebrating the individuals, charities and community groups that make our town such a special place to live.
The event took place at the fantastic Glass House, located on Eastbourne seafront. They put together a lovely two course meal for all of our guests.
We were lucky enough to have the amazing Ryan Milns from Ashdown Radio present the awards.
We were also honoured to be joined by Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde OBE, Eastbourne Mayor Margaret Bannister, and Polegate Mayor Stephen Shing, who attended alongside our friend and Deputy Polegate Mayor, Dan Dunbar.
It was amazing to see so many people come together to recognise the dedication and kindness that often happens quietly behind the scenes.
The awards were created as our way of giving something back to the community. Every day, there are people across Eastbourne volunteering their time, supporting others, raising money for good causes and making a huge difference to the lives of those around them. Too often, these efforts go unnoticed, so we wanted to create an event that really celebrated those unsung heroes.
One of the best parts of the evening was hearing the stories behind the nominations. From individuals overcoming challenges to help others, to charities and organisations providing vital support across our town, every winner had an amazing story worth celebrating.
More than anything, the night was a reminder of just how lucky we are to live and work in such a caring and supportive community. We left feeling incredibly proud of our town and grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a success.
Are Incredible Winners:
Young Rising Star sponsored by PJL Homestay Hub: Jacob and Arlo James
Youth Champion sponsored by East Sussex College: Anna Rayner
Green Sparks of Change sponsored by PJ Skips: Eastbourne Scrap Store
Carer of the Year sponsored by Walfinch: Jan Vanstone and Sarah McCay
Bravery and Resilience sponsored by Stagecoach: Jerry Daly
Outstanding Contribution sponsored by Hallmark Willingdon Park Manor: Mankind
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Madeira Windows: Anna and Amy at Eastbourne Menopause Support Group
Above and Beyond sponsored by Beatty Dental: Bethany Winter at Be Gymnastics
Community Champion sponsored by Eastbourne Healthcare Network: Marie Baker at Amaze Sussex
Heart of Community sponsored by Eastbourne Coaches: Friends of Eastbourne Seafront
Arts and Culture sponsored by Glass House: Kali Peacock at Underwire Production
Rotary Club sponsored by The Beacon: Radio DGH
Heart of Gold sponsored by Bluebird Care: Don, Abby and Thomas McPhee
It was a pleasure to get to chat with all of the amazing winners, hear what Arts and Culture winner, Kali Peacock had to say:
“I have had an amazing night, this is something else. I feel really privileged to do what I do and watch children grow and blossom and gain confidence and shine on stage and be able to enable them to access live theatre, it’s not a job really its a vocation.
I am completely overwhelmed by what has happened tonight but I am very thankful. It means more to me than an academy award!”
Our Charities
All proceeds from the night went to two incredible charities very close to all of our hearts here at Coda Pharmacy and Bournefree Magazine.
St Wilfirds Hospice
At Coda, we are so proud to support St Wilfrid’s Hospice and its vision of creating a community where people can talk openly about dying, live well until the end of life, and where nobody dies alone, afraid, or in pain.
Each year, St Wilfrid’s Hospice provides high-quality, whole-person care to around 2,350 people living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as vital support for their families and carers. Serving a population of approximately 245,000 people across Eastbourne, Seaford, Hailsham, Uckfield, Heathfield and the surrounding areas, the hospice plays a crucial role in the local community.
Their expert teams deliver compassionate care that addresses not only physical needs, but also emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical wellbeing. Support is provided in patients’ own homes, care homes, the Inpatient Unit, and through the Living Well Hub, alongside Nurse Line, their 24/7 telephone advice service. The hospice also offers pre- and post-bereavement support for families and carers, while the Seahorse Project provides specialist bereavement support for children and young people aged 6–18 across the catchment area.
Providing these essential services costs more than £21,000 every day, yet less than 30% of this funding comes from the NHS. The hospice relies heavily on the generosity of the local community to bridge the gap, making every donation vital to ensuring patients and their families continue to receive the care and support they need when it matters most.
We are honoured to play a part in helping St Wilfrid’s Hospice continue its incredible work and make a lasting difference to the lives of those facing some of life’s most challenging moments.
SASBAH
SASBAH is a remarkable Eastbourne-based charity that has been empowering people affected by disability across Sussex for more than 60 years.
Supporting over 1,000 individuals and families, SASBAH has become a vital part of the local community. Based at The JPK Hub in Church Street, Old Town, the charity provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where people can access practical support, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections.
SASBAH works closely with local businesses to create valuable work experience opportunities for people with disabilities, helping individuals gain confidence, develop workplace skills, and make a positive contribution within supportive environments. Alongside this, the charity delivers a wide range of social and digital inclusion activities, ensuring members remain connected, engaged, and able to participate fully in their communities.
The organisation also provides much-needed opportunities for respite and enrichment through organised holidays and trips, creating lasting memories for members while offering valuable support to families and carers. Their dedicated advisory service offers guidance and advocacy on a wide range of important issues, including benefits, relationships, home adaptations, care provision, and independent living.
Through weekly social groups and additional support networks across Sussex, SASBAH continues to foster a strong sense of belonging and community. At the heart of everything they do is a commitment to creating a warm, family-like environment where every individual is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
We are honoured to support SASBAH and the life-changing work they do every day to improve opportunities, independence, and quality of life for people affected by disability across our region.
Thank You
On behalf of all of our team here at Coda Pharmacy, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended, nominated someone, sponsored an award, or supported the event in any way. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we’re already excited about doing it all again next year.
A special thank you to YesPromo for donating the beautiful trophies, Ballooning Great for putting together our balloon arch, The Lansdown for sponsoring the welcome drinks and Don McPhee for giving up his time to supply entertainment and putting together an amazing raffle and silent auction.
Coda Pharmacy is here to support you every step of the way. From offering expert advice to delivering your NHS prescriptions free of charge. If you have any questions about what you have read in this article or any of the services that Coda Pharmacy can provide you with, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us here.
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