Hillingdon Council has officially launched the nominations for the 2024 Hillingdon Community Awards, celebrating the unsung heroes of the borough who go above and beyond to make a positive impact on their community.
The call for nominations, which began on Monday, November 6, invites residents to recognise individuals or organisations in the borough who contribute selflessly to improve the lives of others.
Do you know anyone in Ruislip or Uxbridge that’s worthy of an award? What about Hayes, Eastcote or Northwood? As Harrow is a neighbouring borough, we are asking anyone in our audience that might know a worthy candidate to nominate someone they feel is deserving of an award.
Now in its third year, the awards serve as a platform to acknowledge and express gratitude to those residents and local groups whose altruistic efforts enhance the quality of life for those around them.
From promoting fitness and well-being to maintaining a clean environment and supporting those in need, any act of kindness that enriches the Hillingdon community is eligible for recognition.
By honoring these exceptional individuals or groups, the Hillingdon Community Awards aim to highlight the values of compassion, generosity, and community spirit.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone in the community, and the process provides an opportunity to shine a light on the remarkable contributions made by ordinary people. The winners will be announced and awarded at a special ceremony held at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge.
The ceremony will be attended by dignitaries, including the Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, and the council’s Chief Executive, Tony Zaman.
Last year’s awards saw inspiring recipients, including scout leader Jennipher Marshall-Jenkinson, who received the prestigious Civic Medal, the second highest accolade bestowed by the council. Marshall-Jenkinson was recognised for her lifetime commitment to helping and supporting young people, leaving a lasting impact on her community.
Another notable winner was Nawal Rafi, a 12-year-old recipient of the Gold Bravery Award. Her quick thinking and courageous actions saved her father’s life when she recognised he was having a stroke and promptly called emergency services.
Speaking of her experience Jennipher Marshall-Jenkinson, said: “These awards are great and provide an opportunity to show people how much they are valued. So, it was a great honour to be given the Civic Medal for 2022 for my work promoting Scouting within the borough.
“Our youth provide us with a vision for the future – so they must be nurtured to form our future model citizens. Scouting helps to do this by helping the young people of our borough make new friends and engage in great activities which all help to build confidence and self-esteem.
“All leaders work very hard to make this happen, so I was delighted to be recognised for the work I carry out within the borough.”
Cllr Ian Edwards, said: “These awards continue to highlight the incredible levels of commitment and compassion being shown by those volunteering their time in communities across the borough.
“To not shine a light on these extraordinary residents would be remiss as they are the very fabric of our borough. So, I’m delighted that nominations are open for this year and look forward to reading the incredible stories behind them in due course.”
More details on the awards and how to nominate someone can be found at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
