The shortlist for the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honours has been drawn up.
Judges from across the community had the unenviable task of choosing just a handful of nominees for each category from a massive 400 entries.
“Picking this shortlist was incredibly hard for the judges,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of H&F Council.
“The bravery, compassion, dedication, kindness and ingenuity of every single entry has been stunning, and it’s all happening every single day in Hammersmith & Fulham."
All the finalists below have been invited to an awards ceremony at Hammersmith Town Hall on Thursday 1 March.
The overall winner for each category of the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honours: For Contribution to Civic Life will be announced on the night.
You can read all about the amazing achievements of everyone shortlisted below.
- Contributions to art and culture
Auriol Herford runs Kite Studios in Bassein Park Road. A creative hub for pre-school children, children with additional needs, adults, and teenagers.
Madani Younis is artistic director of the Bush Theatre, who has increased the theatre’s audience and opportunities for the community to engage in art and culture in H&F.
Rosie Whitney-Fish is artistic director of DanceWest which welcomes everyone, no matter their experience, age or whether they are disabled or able-bodied, so all can enjoy and benefit from dance.
Wolfgang Stange is founder of AMICI Dance Theatre Company which works with dancers, performers, and musicians with and without disabilities and has performed across the globe.
- Most dedicated volunteer
Adriaan van Zyl is the church warden at St Andrews Church in Greyhound Road, Fulham, who has dedicated his retirement to helping others by providing meals for street homeless and supporting vulnerable people in the community.
Rachel Attwell has volunteered with Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham for 10 years and is the charity’s longest serving front-of-house volunteer.
Susan Anderson is chair of SEAPIA (Sands End Associated Projects in Action) which provides safe, stimulating play for 8 to 13-year-olds as well as after school and holiday clubs.
- Acts of courage and compassion
Clare and Sandy Burnett have supported many refugees by opening their home to them and campaigning on their behalf.
Joanne MacInnes is a core member of H&F Refugees Welcome Group which works with resettled refugees.
Nalini Boyce organised volunteers at the Edward Woods Community Centre to help victims of the Grenfell fire.
Sally Taylor played an instrumental role in supporting the victims of the fire at Grenfell Tower.
- Contributions to heritage
Annabelle May is chair of the Friends of Ravenscourt Park which encourages the community to get more involved in the park, including leading a project backed by the Museum of London and Heritage Lottery Fund to explore its history.
Ruth and Tigg (John) Savery have run the Friends of Margravine Cemetery since they set it up in 2005, bringing together the people who live near the cemetery with the people who use it.
Tom Ryland is an architect who has promoted and defended local heritage for more than 30 years and is chair of the Hammersmith Society.
- Sporting achievements
Ahmadou Seye brings people together through sports sessions in South Park, Fulham, teaching children of all ages and from all backgrounds the values of hard work, learning new skills and fair play.
Anthony Rhoden (Huggy) has coached basketball for many years and mentored hundreds of young people, helping them do better in school and to reflect on future aspirations.
Caroline Quist is head coach at Phoenix Flyers Trampoline Club which she has run for nine years with inclusive sessions where disabled and able-bodied children train together.
Hassan Weheliye is founder and head coach of Al Ansar FC junior football club which gives Somalian children from East Acton and White City the chance to play competitive football.
Leyla Pavett, 10, Leyla overcame her shyness and transformed her life through trampolining at Phoenix Flyers Trampoline Club.
- Young people’s achievements
Farial Missi has worked at Phoenix Academy for five years and has dedicated her professional life to improving the life chances of young people in her community.
Jonathan, 8 and Clara Ebstein, 6, have raised hundreds of pounds for charities by making jam, keyrings, coasters, necklaces, and other items to sell at schools and local fairs.
Jodie Clark grasped everything Action on Disability’s youth service had to offer taking advantage of every opportunity to show her determination, commitment, resilience, enthusiasm, and growing confidence, including completing the DofE award scheme through to gold and a very successful internship with L'Oréal.
- Bringing people together
Bridget Stevenson is 73 and has selflessly thrown herself into helping Hartswood Tennis Club, St Peter’s Church and St Peter’s School, St John Ambulance, the Upper Room homelessness charity, and many others in the community for more than 40 years.
Liban Muse is the founder and chief executive of the Lido Foundation – an organisation which works to improve the quality of life of west African and Somali communities in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Teo Catino runs his restaurant, Il Pagliaccio with passion and is a big part of the community. During the Parsons Green terror attack, he worked late into the evening providing free pizza and drink to those affected.
Tony Twiss set up and ran a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush, uniting all 80 households in the street for 10 years.
- Most dedicated carer
Bob Ward cares for his wife and is a great support to her and his family while also being a big part of the community, including volunteering at Hammersmith Community Gardens and supporting his friends and neighbours.
Keith Mellor is a district nurse, praised for the professionalism, patience and kindness he showed to comfort a patient and her family at the end of her life.
Winston Woodfine cared for his seriously ill neighbour for many weeks, taking her hot meals before and after work and managing to get her the professional help she needed.
- Most dedicated teacher
Courtney Hosp is a religious studies teacher at Fulham Cross Girls’ School who ensures her pupils make outstanding progress by challenging their perceptions.
Michael Schumm is a visionary headteacher credited with transforming St Stephen’s CofE Primary School in Shepherds Bush, now one of the best in the country and a valued part of the community.
Victoria Tully is deputy headteacher at Fulham Cross Girls’ School, described as caring and inspiring, and praised for uniting the community and supporting victims of the Grenfell tower fire by holding a fundraising Green for Grenfell event.
- Most dedicated social worker
Angela Wilkey organised donations for the victims of Grenfell Tower fire in her own time and continued working with survivors that she had formed a bond with when she moved to a new job. She also works to support the homeless in H&F and elsewhere.
Cherry Ricketts works with very challenging families to enable homeless young people to return home or be taken into care. She managed this at the same time as spending many evenings supporting victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Colin Pope has worked with 300 residents who are hoarders, helping them with their underlying psychological and social issues. He has been praised by many charities, colleagues and residents for his work.
Kathleen Van de Vijver and Rebecca Harvey made a massive difference to the lives of a young woman and her family badly affected by child sexual exploitation, going over and above what could reasonably have been expected of them, including working long nights, weekends and holidays, and travelling long distances.
- Community spirit
Berni Abbey has chaired the Springvale Tenants and Residents’ Association for 30 years, holding regular meetings so residents’ suggestions can be heard, bringing people together, reporting crime, improving the environment and helping residents obtain social care.
Darren Pearce is a popular postman who has worked for Fulham Post Office for about 40 years. He’s always cheerful and helps others, especially the sick and elderly, carrying out errands and providing lifts.
Fulham Good Neighbours has helped older and Disabled People for 50 years, combating loneliness and building community spirit, improving health and independence. Its unfussy, practical, very human support enhances hundreds of people’s lives every year.
- Improving our environment
Christina Smyth’s valuable expertise leading H&F Council’s Commission on Airport Expansion helped shape H&F Council’s opposition to government plans to expand Heathrow. Her passion for the subject inspired all who worked with her.
John Griffiths is co-ordinator of HF Cyclists and has worked for many years to make cycling easier and more popular in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Morag Carmichael has provided valuable insight as chair of H&F’s Biodiversity Commission, undoubtedly leading to improvements to the quality of H&F’s environment.
- Lifetime achievement
Gwen Allsop now in her 80s, has raised £50,000 holding events for Breast Cancer Now over the past 25 years. She was a church warden of St Clements Church and ran a flower group at the United Reformed Church, both in Fulham Palace Road.
Cathy Maund has run Hammersmith Community Gardens Association for 30 years which from small beginnings now works with thousands of local people every year providing education and activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Jennifer Preston 84, has volunteered tirelessly for the charity Epilepsy Bereaved (now SUDEP Action) for decades. She is the longest-serving school governor in Fulham history having retired from the role at Holy Cross School last year and continues to volunteer for many organisations, such as Fulham Good Neighbours.
- Celebrating diversity
The H&F Disabled People’s Commissioners have led a ground-breaking investigation into how Disabled People can truly shape the decisions that affect their lives. They all gave up their time to provide their unique insights.
Kamran Mallick has improved the lives of countless disabled people through his work as CEO of Action on Disability, a role he held for 12 years up until May 2017.
Teresa McGinn has helped learning disability charity HF Mencap thrive after joining it 18 years ago. She set up self-advocacy group Safety Net People First and helped parents and carers establish Parentsactive network for people with disabled children.
- Contributions to health and wellbeing
Bryan Naylor is chair of the H&F Older People’s Commission and has inspired all who have worked with him in his efforts to improve the lives and opportunities for older people in the borough.
The Barons Court Project works with people who are living on the street and those with mental health problems providing food, advice, and activities, making them feel like valued members of the community.
Christine Fortune is a caring and encouraging health visitor whose dedication has ensured thousands of babies and young people have had the best starts in life.
Flora Gardens Children’s Centre opened at weekends as staff worked longer to ensure families rehomed in hotels after the Grenfell Tower fire could get support, use washing machines, kitchens, and play areas.
- Outstanding contribution to the life of the borough
Daphine Aikens started Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank in 2010 and has worked tirelessly ever since to provide food and other essentials, as well as a wide range of other support including help with budgeting and lunch clubs during school holidays.
Nandini Ganesh is the coordinator and secretary of Parentsactive which supports families with disabled children, creating a support network for them, organising events and activities, and working with them to improve services.
