Published: Thursday 30 March 2023
The winners of this year’s Mayor’s Awards were announced last night (29 March) in a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor David Lindsay.
Among this year’s winners were residents running initiatives to improve mental wellbeing and to support parents and carers of children with disabilities; those dedicated to strengthening community safety; as well as champions of culture and heritage in the borough.
Local Community Organisation winners, including Bikeworks, St Mary’s Ukrainian School and Swimunity were also rewarded.
The annual Mayor’s Awards recognise the outstanding contribution that the organisations’ employees and volunteers have made to improving local life in the borough, supporting the Council’s ambitions to make all of Kensington and Chelsea greener, safer and fairer.
Councillor David Lindsay, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea said:
"It is a privilege to recognise these outstanding individuals and community organisations with Mayor’s Awards for going the extra mile to give back to our local communities. I express my sincere thanks for everything they have done, and will continue to do, to help others and improve local life for our borough’s residents."
On behalf of St Mary's Ukrainian Supplementary School, Headteacher Inna Hryhorovych said:
“The win is a deep recognition of the hard, selfless work and sincere dedication of St Mary's team, who today encounter around 100 professionals. For all of us, this award is an inspiration not to give up, it fills us with the confidence of the local authority support, especially now when hundreds of Ukrainian children have opened their hearts to us. It refills us with a new wave of inspiration and energy to continue this life mission of building the future of Ukraine together. Thank you for helping us to focus on the light in the darkest moments for our country.”
Zoe Portlock, Co-Founder of Bikeworks said:
“It's great to see our team, including volunteers, get recognised, they're out in all weathers throughout the year making a difference in the community. At Bikeworks we believe everyone should have access to cycling. Using the bicycle for good to increase physical activity, wellbeing and connectivity. For the majority of members, this is the only exercise they can access."
On behalf of Swimunity, Sarraounia Samuels said:
“It is an incredible honour as it shows that our work and the service we provide is valued and appreciated by the community we operate in. We wanted to bring the healing benefits of swimming to those who need them. By removing the economic and cultural barriers to learning to swim, we wanted to provide a safe space in which children and adults can learn a life saving skill, be vulnerable and develop their resilience.”
Karen Clark who was awarded for more than 30 years of voluntary service and challenging the police to enhance the safety of residents said:
“It has been a great honour to have my work with police and council recognised in this way. It all started when police suggested I start a Neighbourhood Watch in my street. In time I got a lot more involved with volunteering for the police and was given a fair bit of training to be a critical friend. I am now Pembridge Ward Safer Neighbourhood Panel chair. Apart from Ward chair, I am a member of the Independent Advisory Group.”
Annie Redmile who was awarded for her outstanding contribution to improving local life for residents in the borough said:
“First of all, I am thrilled to be receiving this award in a borough that I love. I have lived here for more than 50 years, mainly in Kensington.
I owe it to my mother who was always involved and committed to community and it just came naturally, I believe that a civilised world needs strong communities. And, I have discovered there are many ways to contribute to communities in our rich and varied borough.”
Shailesh Thakrar who was awarded for decades of work running a pharmacy which provides exceptional service to the community in North Kensington Said:
“I am truly honoured and humbled to have been nominated and selected to win this award. I opened my Pharmacy in April 1981, in North Kensington and have been privileged to serve the local community there for 41 years, until my retirement last year.
"This award exemplifies how valued a local community pharmacy is to the area it serves, in bringing a local accessible healthcare expertise in medicines, that does not require appointments, long waits, and offering a sense of comfort and community to the local population. I am so glad to have spent the best part of my life for this cause.”
The Mayor’s Awards are an annual opportunity to recognise inspirational local people and extraordinary community organisations that have made a significant difference to the lives of residents in Kensington and Chelsea. Nominees were put forward by members of the community and judged by a panel.
Thirteen awards were given to people and organisations from across the borough in three different categories – Individual Contribution, Local Community Organisation and Young Person – recognising their commitment to serve the local community.