NEWS
LORD-LIEUTENANT OF KENT PRESENTS DOVER-BASED PRIORITY FREIGHT WITH QUEENS AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
ALFIE AND ANDY
ALFIE ’ S ARMY COMPLETES ULTRA CHALLENGE TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUNG LIVES VS CANCER
LADY COLGRAIN AND NEAL WILLIAMS
Kent-based provider of time-critical logistics , Priority Freight , has been honoured with the Queen ’ s Award for Enterprise 2020 , the UK ’ s most significant award for business performance , as recommended by Her Majesty the Queen and the Prime Minister , Boris Johnson .
The Queen ’ s Awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services , delivering impressive social mobility programmes or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices . Priority Freight was awarded the Queen ’ s Award for Enterprise , which recognises excellence and consistent growth in international sales .
Priority Freight ’ s highly experienced multilingual logistics specialists are committed to providing the fastest , most cost-effective and reliable solutions , and boast an industry-leading reaction time of under 15 minutes and an on-time delivery rate of 99.6 %, leading to the deserved recognition .
The Lord Lieutenant of Kent , Lady Colgrain , presented the award to Neal Williams , group managing director at Priority Freight at a special celebratory ceremony held at the company ’ s head office in Dover . Staff gathered to welcome the esteemed guest , who is Her Majesty ’ s personal representative for Kent , who presented the accolade which was announced in 2020 but was delayed due to the Buckingham Palace awards reception being unable to proceed due to the pandemic .
Neal Williams commented , “ We are delighted that the company has received recognition for our contributions to international trade . Winning this award is welcome recognition of our hard-working team members and their ongoing commitment to our customers . Our clients know they can trust us to deliver even when the options are limited or timecritical .
“ This has been particularly apparent during the COVID-19 crisis where we have been supporting governments and companies to bring PPE in from around the world .”
Alfie ' s Army , formed of Whitstable father Andy Bills , sales manager at National Ventilation , and his life-long friends , brothers-in-law and nephews , have completed the Peak District Challenge , a half-ultra challenge , to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer to give something back to the charity that has been supporting Andy ' s son , Alfie , who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 3 years of age .
“ Alfie has spent the last 27 months under a very intense , relentless regime of chemotherapy but he is doing very well , tolerating the treatment brilliantly , and is keeping up great attendance at school . Treatment is a roller coaster though and when he has lumbar punctures and intense treatments , he is not at school the following week ”, explains Andy . “ During these last 27 months we have been on a journey which can
only be described as horrendous . It is a situation I wouldn ’ t wish on anyone . Fortunately , we have had the support from Young Lives vs Cancer both emotionally and financially . If anyone can lend their support to this wonderful charity , I ’ d be very grateful ”, said Andy .
All 13 successfully crossed the line , including Andy , who finished the challenge in 12hrs 20mins , burning 5,000 calories along the way . So far , Alfie ’ s Army has raised an impressive £ 11,123 . However , with charities hard hit during COVID and Young Lives vs Cancer offering families such vital support , the team would warmly welcome any further donations which can be made via www . justgiving . com / fundraising / andrew-bills .
SUMMER LOUNGE COMING TO ELWICK PLACE , ASHFORD
This summer , Elwick Place invites visitors to discover a whole new side of Ashford with a summer installation in the form of giant ice cream props and seating areas .
The ‘ Chill Lounge ’, aims to offer the perfect spot to catch up with friends and listen to weekly live music sessions ; which will take place every Saturday 12pm- 3pm courtesy of Ashford ’ s leading music and arts venue , Revelation Ashford ; with the added option of enjoying al fresco dining from the fantastic eateries at Elwick Place . Visitors can even take part in outdoor gym classes bookable through Snap Fitness Ashford .
CEO of Revelation Ashford Debra McGee explained “ Revelation are so excited to be bringing live music to Elwick Place , we ’ ve got some brilliant musicians who can ’ t wait to perform to a live audience again , after 18 months of mainly online shows , we are all raring to go !” She continued “ From swing to folk , rockabilly to reggae there really is something for everyone , what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon !”.
Ian Marshall for Elwick place added ; “ We ’ re extremely excited for this to launch . The Chill Lounge is a vibrant , colourful concept packed with personality that provides something for everyone !”.
152