Proud to be Asda award winner

A popular Thanet Asda worker has been named Customers’ Colleague of the Year at the supermarket giant’s annual awards ceremony.

Bob Ellender took the accolade at the Proud to be Asda ceremony held in Coventry yesterday (September 24).

Bob has won the award due to his numerous acts of kindness to help those in the Thanet community.

The 52-year-old, from Ramsgate, was a finalist last year and also won the title in 2021 but there was no ceremony that year due to the pandemic.

The dad-of-two worked at Asda Ramsgate since it opened in 2012 before moving to other branches and returning eight years ago and now works at Asda Westwood. He supports local organisations throughout the year and makes sure that five Thanet families in need receive items for Christmas dinner and a gift for children.

He said: “Every month I put £70 away which a colleague at work saves for me. That gets broken down into vouches and gift cards that I use throughout the year although the bulk is at Christmas.

“Five families get Christmas dinner, so frozen turkey, veg, potatoes and a toy or, for a teenage boy a Lynx gift set and teenage girl a Dover set.

“And then throughout the year I help Natasha, Sara (and others) for Pet Room Food Bank, Lucy Cook (Missing Cats and Strays in Thanet) Charlie Euden who has families in need, Ramsgate Salvation Army and I worked with Raushan (Ara) when she was Ramsgate mayor and would contact me sometimes.

“I was nominated as customer colleague of the year, got shortlisted and went to a regional event and was put through to the finals.

“There were six finalists and I was lucky enough to be the winner.

“I’d like to give a massive shout out to Natasha, Sarah-Louise, Charlie and others who shared the post (with the voting link).”

Bob, along with the other finalists, will have now been invited to attend Asda’s Tickled Pink gala on October 17th held in support of charities GroceryAid, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel.

O.C.Dean Fitness

A Thanet personal trainer and fitness studio owner has scooped third place at a top industry awards.

Dean Perry, who owns O.C. Dean’s Fitness in New Street, Margate, was shortlisted in the male personal trainer and the male fitness trainer categories in this year’s British Fitness Awards.

The awards, in their 10th year, recognise the achievements within the industry of both independent and commercial businesses each year.

At the awards ceremony on September 14 in Liverpool, Dean was named as third in the male fitness trainer category.

Dad-of-one Dean, from Ramsgate, has worked in the fitness industry for more than 20 years since an award during Army training sparked his passion.

The 43-year-old said: “I really didn’t expect to even place at all, so to come third, I was shocked. It was an amazing experience and brilliant night. I feel so lucky and  honoured to be a part of it and I’m so extremely grateful to everyone who voted for me.”

MP Environmental

A Ramsgate pest control service is celebrating after making the finals of a national trade awards.

MP Environmental was named as a finalist in the sole traders’ category. The business was set up by Michelle Pope in 2018 and this is the first time it has been entered into the National Pest Awards.

Michelle employs one technician, Jamie Good, and hopes to take on another staff member within the next year.

The 45-year-old has been involved in environmental services since she was 16.

She said: “I met my now ex-partner when I was 16 and have been around the industry since then. I went with his dad to trade shows and helped his mum with admin and then we ran the company for seven years when they retired and upgraded our training.

“My company has evolved out of that.

“I employ one technician, Jamie, who I have been friends with for years and have worked with him for about eight years. My other technician retired during covid but in the next year or so I want to get another technician because the company is growing.”

Michelle says a large part of her job is education, adding: “People think pest control is just killing things but we don’t like doing that. Sometimes it is necessary but it’s more about public health, education and what people can do to help themselves. So, wherever possible we can tell people about prevention whether that’s maintenance of the home or hygiene in the kitchen.”

Michelle, who lives with her sister in Broadstairs with their four cats and two dogs, says making the final three in her category is “still sinking in.”

She says it is important for the industry to be more inclusive and she is now on an industry equality, diversity and inclusion committee. She said: “In April this year I joined the EDI committee and am hoping we can make a difference and encourage more women and people of colour and diverse nationalities into the industry

“We are still very much a white male dominated industry and that’s what we are trying very hard to change.”