Published: Tuesday 30 March 2021
Winners of nineteen Mayor’s Awards were invited to attend an online Ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Gerard Hargreaves.
The Ceremony was livestreamed to family, friends and colleagues of the winners and was watched live by over 100 people.
The recipients were put forward by members of the public who made outstanding contributions to the community during the pandemic, from delivering hot meals and feeding 100’s of people each week, to running 1500 online Taekwondo classes in what has been a challenging year for all.
Also present at the Ceremony were the five members of the judging panel – Cllr Elizabeth Campbell (Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council), Cllr Pat Mason (Leader of the Opposition, Kensington and Chelsea Council), Imaan Abdi (Youth Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea), Michael Ashe (CEO of Volunteer Centre Kensington and Chelsea) and Angela Spence (CEO of Kensington and Chelsea Social Council) – who introduced the Mayor’s Award categories and gave information on the reasons each winner had been given a Mayor’s Award.
Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea said:
“Right across the borough, we are fortunate to have people who care about making Kensington and Chelsea a great place to live, work and learn. Each of the Mayor’s Awards recipients have responded in an extraordinary way to the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic. I would like to say a huge thank you, on behalf of all our residents, to the people who received awards at the Ceremony.”
Gloria Gardner was recognised for her individual contribution for her voluntary work with Glass Door Homeless Charity and Under One Sky to launch their Covid-19 emergency food initiative for people experiencing homelessness. She said:
“I am delighted to have received a Mayor’s Award, but this award is dedicated to all the volunteers who’ve helped rescue food used in meals for those in need. A mountain of people came together every day for seven days a week making hundreds of sandwiches and cakes. We will continue to help those in need.”
Master John Webster, recognised for individual contribution for delivering over 1500 online Taekwondo classes during the pandemic, said:
“I am honoured and pleasantly surprised to receive the Mayors Award. When I started at the Curve two and half years ago, I did not envisage how good these students would become. They have stayed focused and motivated, even through the lockdown.
Their determination keeps me motivated to bring further success to children based at Curve.
I would like to thank Kevin Ramsey and Natasha Gordon for their continued support of the Taekwondo programme. Most of all I would like to thank the kids for their continued hard work.”
All Saints Foodbank was awarded in the Local Community Organisation category for supporting the local community through the Covid-19 pandemic. Fr Philip Corbett said:
“Our whole team are honoured to have been recognised in this way. We very much hope that our Foodbank will continue to support our local community in the years to come, developing to meet the needs of local people.”
Tim Sai Louie was recognised for his work during the Coronavirus response supporting several initiatives including Age UK Kensington and Chelsea, he said:
" It has been very rewarding to receive thanks from those in the borough. I have been able to assist, particularly during the various lockdowns and now from the Council in my receiving a Mayors Award for my volunteering. After a career in the City it has been personally satisfying to volunteer for a number of charities which I hope to continue after the pandemic is over."
Major James Williams from the Salvation Army was recognised in the Coronavirus response category for distributing hot meals to ensure that local vulnerable people had access to regular hot meals during lockdown said:
"The Mayor’s awards recognises the hard work and dedication of our small team of faithful volunteers and generous donors especially the Rotary club of Kensington and Chelsea and the Worlds End and Road Big Local."
The full list of winners can be found here.
