A One Stop store manager in Brighton & Hove has been recognised for her dedication to her community, after winning at the Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2025 event, from the Parent Carers’ Council - along with a British Citizen Award.
Leanne, herself from Brighton & Hove, has worked for One Stop for 11 years, and won the Parent Carers’ Council award this month, following a Santa’s Grotto event she held at The Salvation Army at Sackville Road, Hove for 64 SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children and families in December 2025.
“I wanted to make sure children and adults with SEND could experience the magic of Christmas in a way that felt calm, safe and joyful. Many of them hold on to the magic of Father Christmas throughout their lives,” Leanne said.
To ensure every child felt comfortable, Leanne also created a make‑shift sensory tent for those who felt overwhelmed.
The Sussex-based store manager and her team at the Neville Road store raised £648 to fund the activities, which included decorating Christmas ornaments, icing gingerbread men, colouring in festive scenes and indulging in plenty of sweet treats.
The money was raised through a community book sale, with additional support from local customers and residents who donated food and supplies. Once word spread, the community united together to support Leanne, ensuring the event was as magical as possible for those attending.
“The response from our community was overwhelming. People donated books, food and their time - all because they wanted to make Christmas a little brighter for these incredible children and young adults. It showed just how powerful a local community can be when everyone comes together.”
Although the event had a focus on making the day magical for those attending, Leanne also managed to raise over £500 for Young Lives vs Cancer - a charity that supports young cancer patients and their families. It’s also one of One Stop’s national charity partners.
Just three days after winning the award, Leanne received a British Citizen Award for the incredible job she does to support the Brighton & Hove community.
One Stop’s community and partners manager, Jack Taylor added: “Leanne’s commitment to her community is incredible and both awards are a reflection of that.
“Creating a calm, magical experience for SEND children and their families is no small task, yet she delivered it with care and incredible attention to detail. She brought the local community together to make it happen which made a huge impact and we couldn’t be prouder of her!”
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