WhatsApp Image 2026-10-09 at 14.44.21 (5)

October 9, 2026

Harvest Run 2026: Chilton Primary School & Thanet Food Link

Watkins Academy Quick Updates Community, Kent, News, Social Value, Thanet, Thanet Food Link 0

Some of the Academy team recently completed our annual Harvest Run to Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate, on behalf of Thanet Food Link.

Helen and Louise from the Watkins Academy team holding bags of donations outside Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate. — Helen and Louise collecting the donations at Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

Helen, Jacob and Louise were delighted to collect the generous donations contributed by the wonderful children, families and staff at the school. The donated goods were then transported to the Thanet Food Link hub, where volunteers sort and prepare items for distribution to local families in need across the community.

Bags of donated food and goods lined up on a table at the Thanet Food Link hub, with shelves of sorted tins and supplies behind. — The donations arriving at the Thanet Food Link hub, ready to be sorted.

This annual event is a fantastic example of how young people can make a real difference through kindness, generosity and community spirit. Every donation helps to support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances, particularly as we head into the colder months.

A huge thank you to everyone at Chilton Primary School for their continued support and generosity. We are proud to work alongside Thanet Food Link to help strengthen our local community and support those who need it most.

You can read about how we helped Thanet Food Link move into their new Margate home earlier this year.

October 8, 2026

Danny White’s Everest Base Camp Trek for Demelza

Watkins Academy Articles Charity, Community, Demelza, Fundraising, News 0

Danny White, one of our site managers, has completed a 16-day trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal in aid of Demelza. Danny set off in September and has now successfully made it to Base Camp.

Danny is a keen athlete and put in the hard work to prepare, including lots of long walks with his family and their dogs. Watkins has a long history of supporting employees in their fundraising endeavours, and the company contributed to Danny’s fundraising efforts to help make an even greater impact for this fantastic cause.

Danny White standing with arms outstretched on a rock painted 'Everest Base Camp 5364m'. — Danny at Everest Base Camp, 5,364m.

Why Demelza

The round brick tower and grounds of Demelza Hospice, Sittingbourne. — Demelza’s hospice in Sittingbourne.

Demelza is a Kent-based children’s charity that provides vital care and support to children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families.

In June, Helen Harris visited the hospice in Sittingbourne, where Emily Lofts, Senior Events Executive, kindly gave her a tour of the wonderful facilities that support the many families Demelza helps across Kent, East Sussex and Southeast London. It was clear to see why Danny is so passionate about supporting Demelza and committing to such a gruelling task.

Quiz night for Demelza

On Friday 14 August, colleagues came together for a quiz night in aid of Demelza, with a raffle on the night. The evening raised around £2,200 and helped Danny get a lot closer to the £5,500 target set by Demelza to complete the challenge.

Danny thanked everyone who attended the quiz, donated raffle prizes, bought tickets or gave to his JustGiving page.

“I am extremely grateful and overwhelmed by all the support shown from everyone at Watkins.”

Danny White, thanking everyone who took part

Colleagues cheering and clapping at tables during the Watkins quiz night in aid of Demelza. — Colleagues at the quiz night on Friday 14 August.

A table at the quiz night with a Demelza banner, raffle prizes and signed memorabilia on display. — The Demelza table and raffle prizes.

On the trail

Danny set off for Nepal in September to begin the 16-day trek. Here are a few photos from along the way.

A small propeller plane parked on an airport apron.

A mountain airstrip with the number 24 painted on the runway and green hills behind.

A long suspension bridge crossing a forested Himalayan gorge.

A white and gold stupa on a hillside with mountains and clouds behind.

A city skyline at sunset with the Himalayas faintly visible on the horizon.

Made it to Base Camp

Danny sitting on a rock above a valley, with snow-covered peaks behind him. — Taking in the view on the way up.

Danny has now joined the around 60,000 people who make the trek each year, although a significantly smaller number attempt to climb the mountain. Maybe next year’s challenge for Danny.

A few facts about the place he has just been:

Everest has different names. In Nepal it is known as Sagarmatha, while Chomolungma/Qomolangma is the Tibetan name. The mountain sits on the Nepal-China border.
The whole region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sagarmatha National Park was established in 1976 and was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1979.
The park is home to extraordinary wildlife. Despite the harsh environment, you can find snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, musk deer and Himalayan wolves.
Base Camp isn’t a permanent town. It is a staging area for climbing expeditions, and its appearance changes with the climbing season. The South Base Camp is associated with the Khumbu Glacier and the route towards the Khumbu Icefall.
Base Camp is higher than many famous mountains. At 5,364m, you’re already higher than Mont Blanc (4,806m) and only a little below Mount Elbrus (5,642m).

Thank you

Danny smiling in sunglasses and a blue t-shirt, with a snow-capped mountain behind the trees. — Danny on the trek.

To everyone who has contributed towards Danny’s trek and raised money for Demelza, thank you. It’s a huge achievement for Danny, who has put so much effort into training and fundraising, and Watkins is proud to have supported him on his mission.

Danny’s JustGiving page currently stands at £4,565 towards the £5,500 target, and donations are still open. If you would like to give, you can do so on Danny’s JustGiving page.

June 11, 2026

Kairo Anthony named Level 2 BSE Installer Apprentice of 2026

Watkins Academy Quick Updates Apprenticeships, Community, News 0

Helen Harris presenting Kairo Anthony with the Watkins Apprentice of the Month certificate earlier this year.

Two years ago, Kairo Anthony joined Watkins as a brand new apprentice at our Excel site. Last week, he was named Level 2 BSE Installer Apprentice of 2026 by Choice Training, recognising him as the standout Level 2 Building Services Engineering installer in their cohort.

The recognition is at the national programme level. Choice Training works with construction and building services employers across the UK, marking a single outstanding apprentice per category each year. Kairo’s certificate arrived alongside an invitation to the awards ceremony on Friday 17 July, held at the Ted Hardy Suite, Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.

Two years of consistent hard work. Impeccable timekeeping. A genuine appetite for learning the trade, not just clocking through it. Kairo has worked predominantly alongside Matt Cook, one of our experienced Watkins Engineers, who has provided patient guidance and on-site training throughout.

“I appreciate it very much. And I’m very thankful for all the help Watkins have given me throughout the years.”

Kairo Anthony, on being told he had won the award and that Watkins is putting him forward for Level 3

It is not the first time Kairo has been recognised. Earlier this year he picked up Watkins’ internal Apprentice of the Month award, presented by Helen (pictured above). A smaller moment, but one that pointed to where this was heading. Talent like Kairo’s tends to show up in local recognitions before it shows up in national ones.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Kairo, and one that reflects both his talent and dedication. Awards like this don’t happen by chance. They are the result of consistent effort and a genuine commitment to excellence. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Roy Lovelock, HSEQ, CSR & Watkins Academy Director

We’ve watched Kairo putting in fantastic effort over the last two years, and it’s great to see other people noticing it too!

Kairo moves up to Level 3 with Choice Training in September. 📅

Helen and Roy will be there at the ceremony on 17 July to cheer him on. 🎉