Rub-a-dub-dub three men in Islington’s hub and who do you think they were?
The traffic warden, the Shelter volunteer and the shop owner.
Nine winners were named last night at the Mayor’s Civic Awards in Islington and the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker didn’t feature.
The unsung community heroes were praised for their vital contribution to the borough at Islington’s Assembly Hall.
Those recognised included a traffic warden who was hospitalised after tackling a mugger, a long-serving night shelter volunteer, and a much-loved and respected shop owner who was the victim of a brutal knife attack in December last year.
Alongside the winners, the Mayor presented the Ben Kinsella Award, given to a young person who has made a positive mark on the community.
It went to 17-year-old J’Vorge Kelly, who has learning difficulties. He saved a man’s life by giving him first aid after he collapsed on the street. Other passers-by insisting he was just drunk.
At the time, London Mayor Boris Johnson sent him a special letter of thanks and Olympics tickets.
The Kinsella family present the award each year in memory of their son, Ben, who was murdered after being stabbed in by a gang in Islington in 2008.
George Kinsella, Ben’s father, said the family were very “proud” and that they hoped it would continue to “educate people about the dangers and consequences of knife crime”.
Councillor Jilani Chowdhury, Islington’s mayor, said: “Across Islington there are hundreds of unsung community heroes who make a real difference to other people’s lives.
“They do so without thought of reward, and our civic awards are a chance to say thanks for all their hard work.”
Councilllor Terry Stacy praised unselfish motivation of the winners:
“Getting involved in your community used to be the normal part of everyday life in London but now, sadly, it is becoming the exception to the rule.
“The winners are not looking for thanks and they are not motivated by this kind of recognition – they are dedicated, they care, and they are modest,” he said.
Winners of the evening’s ceremony were picked from by a panel of judges.
The list of winners in full:
- Daniel Baker, who works hard to get local people of all ages and backgrounds involved in the arts.
- Steve Coxshall, landlord at The Barnsbury pub and staunch supporter of local veterans.
- Andrew Daniel, a committed volunteer for 13 years at an Islington night shelter.
- Daniel Flood and Famil Piansy, who set up a community football team to help stop anti-social behaviour.
- Louise Geraghty, who has worked hard to improve her estate including spending her own money on plants.
- Felix Hebblethwaite, who works for Linklaters law firm and has built strong links with the community.
- Gabby Mann, tenants’ leader and community organiser on the Taverner & Peckett estate.
- Mohammad Yasar, an Islington civil enforcement officer who stepped in when he saw a mugging taking place.
- Ashok Patel, Newington Green shop owner and community champion, who was injured in a recent robbery.
