H&F awards Civic Honours to recognise community heroes

Community heroes were celebrated at Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s inaugural Civic Honours.

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Lifetime achievement award winner Cathy Maund (centre), director of Hammersmith Community Gardens Association, with Kim Dero (left), H&F Council Chief Executive and Cllr Sue Fennimore (right)

View all the pictures from the night on our Flickr photo gallery

Community heroes were celebrated at Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s inaugural Civic Honours on Thursday 1 March. 

The new awards aim to shine a light on members of the community who have selflessly helped others and contributed to the borough.

It was an extremely difficult challenge for the judges to narrow down more than 400 entries to the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honours: for contribution to civic life. And it was even harder to pick the winners of each of the 16 categories who were announced at the event at Hammersmith Town Hall last night (1 March).

“Hearing all the wonderful things the nominees have done for our community makes me incredibly proud to call H&F home,” said Council Leader Stephen Cowan.  

“One of the most important signs of a civilised society is how we look after each other. Those who make the effort to engage in civic life and improve things for all do precisely that. It was an honour for us to be able to celebrate their efforts.” 

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A tweet from Citizens Advice H&F: Thanks @LBHF for excellent #civic honours event. Inspiring stories from across the borough. We are proud to be part of the outstanding community. Well done to everyone nominated [clapping emoji]

The award-winners were:

Celebrating diversity

Kamran Mallick who has improved the lives of countless Disabled people through his past work as CEO of Action on Disability.

Young people’s achievements

Jonathan, eight, and Clara Ebstein, six, raised hundreds of pounds for charities by making jam, keyrings, coasters, necklaces, and other items to sell at schools and local fairs in Fulham.

“I was really excited when they said our name,” said Jonathan.

“I’m going to take the medal to school to show everyone in my class.

“It makes me feel really happy doing good work.”

Sporting achievements

Leyla Pavett, 11, overcame her shyness and transformed her life through trampolining at Phoenix Flyers Trampoline Club in White City.

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 in White City.

Acts of courage and compassion

Joanne MacInnes is a core member of H&F Refugees Welcome Group which works with resettled refugees. She has worked tirelessly volunteering in the Calais refugee camps.

Most dedicated 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 in Fulham.

Contributions to art and culture

Auriol Herford runs Kite Studios in Bassein Park Road – a creative hub in Shepherds Bush for pre-school children, children with additional needs, adults, and teenagers.

“I’m honoured,” said Auriol.

“We’ve been going since 2005, it’s a real moment of reflection.

“We’re on the cusp of new growth. Its wonderful way to be acknowledged for all we have done over the past number of years.”

Most dedicated teacher

Victoria Tully is deputy headteacher at Fulham Cross Girls’ School, described as caring and inspiring, and was praised for uniting the community and supporting victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire by holding a Green for Grenfell fundraising event.

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A tweet from Fulham Cross: There are so many amazing people in @LBHF who make our borough better! #civichonours #fancydo

Improving our environment

John Griffiths is co-ordinator of HF Cyclists and has worked for many years to make cycling easier and more popular in H&F.

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.

Teo Catino runs his Fulham 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.

Contributions to heritage

Tom Ryland is an architect in Shepherds Bush who has promoted and defended local heritage for more than 30 years and is chair of the Hammersmith Society.

We are very sorry to learn that Tom has recently passed away. He will be sadly missed.

Most dedicated carer

Keith Mellor is a district nurse in Hammersmith, who was praised for the professionalism, patience and kindness he showed to comfort a patient and her family at the end of her life.

Community spirit

Berni Abbey has chaired the Springvale Tenants’ and Residents’ Association in West Kensington 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.

Most dedicated social worker

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.

Contributions to health and wellbeing

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.

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Tweet from Barons Court Project: Thrilled beyond belief to have won the award for contribution to health and wellbeing. An honour for all our Volunteers, staff and community who make up a very special place. Delighted.

Lifetime achievement

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.

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.

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Tweet from Roise Whitney-Fish: A hugely inspiring evening and delighted to have been nominated for my work @DanceWest1 thanks @LBHF #civichonours

You can read all about the amazing achievements of everyone shortlisted on our previous news story: H&F Civic Honours – shortlist highlights our incredible community.

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