Mayor joins the celebrations at the Girlguiding Sussex Central County Awards Evening 2025

Monday 30th June 2025 marked a night of celebration, pride and inspiration as Girlguiding Sussex Central came together for their annual County Awards Evening, held to honour the outstanding contributions and achievements of their members.

The event was graciously hosted by County Commissioner Wendy Colson alongside Chair of Awards Caroline Hitchcock, who led the evening with warmth and genuine admiration for every young member, adult volunteer, and leader being recognised.

Held in the heart of our county, the evening welcomed a distinguished audience including the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, Lord and Lady Dholakia, and local town mayors from Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, and East Grinstead, as well as the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council. Also in attendance were Girlguiding Commissioners from across the region, and a vibrant mix of our young members aged 10+, adult leaders and volunteers.

A guest speaker from the London Ambulance Service delivered an inspiring address on the importance of teamwork, resilience, and community service—values that echo deeply within the Girlguiding movement. Their words left a lasting impression on everyone present, particularly the younger members, who left feeling even more motivated to make a difference in their communities.

Throughout the evening, awards were presented to recognise dedication, leadership, long service, and extraordinary achievements by our members. These included:

• Young members achieving milestones in their Guiding journeys,

• Adult volunteers recognised for their commitment and years of service,

• Leaders honoured for their exceptional contributions to unit life and community impact.

  
  

From the shy smiles of first-time awardees to the proud applause of seasoned volunteers, the atmosphere was one of unity and joy. Stories were shared, memories were celebrated, and the spirit of Girlguiding shone brightly throughout the evening.