Excellent every day: Alex Hills receives national CPRE award

CPRE Kent salutes Alex Hills, who has received national recognition for his volunteer work with our charity.

The news that the chairman of our Gravesham committee had been conferred the Everyday Excellence Award was announced during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which ran from Monday to Sunday, June 2-8.

Alex was given both a medal and a certificate, awarded in recognition of his “unending support and enthusiasm for protecting the Kent countryside”.

CPRE’s national website says: “Alex has had to overcome enormous challenges and knock backs over the years yet even in the face of adversity he continues to serve the countryside and support CPRE Kent with positivity. He is a true inspiration to us all.”

Andrea Griffiths, CPRE Kent director, said: “Alex first got involved with CPRE during the Cliffe airport campaign and has continued to work for CPRE Kent, representing Dartford, Medway and his home area of Gravesham in many campaigns, including his extensive work on the proposed Swanscombe peninsula theme park and Lower Thames Crossing campaigns.

“This latter campaign led Alex to join the Thames Crossing Action Group and he has also acted as the point of contact with CPRE Kent for Cycling UK and the West Kent Badger Group.

“In August last year, Alex was diagnosed with cancer, but he somehow continued to work as much as he could, continuing to attend meetings and keeping up to speed with the LTC and other campaigns, even during a 25-day stay in hospital and the initial two months’ recovery!

“In short, Alex is a powerhouse and has been invaluable to CPRE Kent and other organisations. He is most deserving of his award and CPRE Kent are most grateful to him.”

Speaking more broadly about the role volunteers play with CPRE, chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “This year we’ve reached a new target and mobilised over 2,000 volunteers across our CPRE network.

“As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, a massive thank you to CPRE volunteers across the network and in the national charity. The time you give as a volunteer makes the countryside a better place for everyone to live, work and enjoy.

“We’ve also received a record-breaking number of volunteer award nominations, demonstrating how valued CPRE volunteers are to us. Many congratulations to all of our winners this year.

“Wherever you volunteer, and whatever you do, volunteers are our superpower when it comes to protecting our countryside. In Volunteers’ Week, and every week, a huge thank you for all you give.”