Mayor of Redbridge Muhammed Javed is holding the Annual Awards

Judges face tough job picking Redbridge’s community heroes

by Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Friday, October 5, 2012
9:23 AM

A panel of judges will soon take on a very difficult job – choosing winners from the tireless people nominated for the Mayor of Redbridge’s Annual Awards.

The search is on to recognise people in the borough who go the extra mile to help others, be it through their business, looking after young people or making Redbridge a greener place.

Judges including councillors, businesspeople and faith representatives will make the final tough decisions for Mayor Cllr Muhammed Javed’s awards, to be held in January, including the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award.

Mike Crocker, the vice-chairman of Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, also judged during the inaugural 2012 awards.

He said: “I was really humbled. It’s a wonderful idea for your ordinary man and woman on the street to be recognised by the community.”

Of last year’s nominees, Mr Crocker said he had been impressed by a Wanstead roadsweeper and another nominee who had collected for the Royal British Legion for over 25 years.

He said: “It’s so hard to choose a winner. I’d say 90 per cent of people all deserved something.”

Mr Crocker will be joined on this year’s panel by councillors Barbara White, Shoaib Patel and Michelle Dunn; Mike Myers, manager of the Exchange Ilford, which co-sponsors the Young Citizen Award, and Chris Carter, editor of the Recorder.

Cllr White said: “It’s nice and proper that people who’ve given their service to the borough are recognised.”

Heads of services from Redbridge Council will take part, along with faith leaders including Dr Mohammed Fahim, imam of the South Woodford Muslim Community Centre, and Rabbi David Hulbert, of Newbury Park’s Bet Tikvah Synagogue.

Entries close December 14. Visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/mayorsawards.