Street Pastors: Monica Abdala and Bob Hughes

Winning one of the Mayor of Redbridge’s Annual Awards will mean a community group or individual gets the recognition they deserve, according to one of last year’s winners.

Mayor Muhammed Javed will recognise unsung heroes who dedicate hours to helping others at an awards ceremony in January, following on from the success of last year’s awards.

At that ceremony, the Redbridge Street Pastors were recognised for their work helping to build a stronger community by speaking to people on the street in Ilford town centre.

Street pastor co-ordinator Monica Abdala, of Hainault, said: “It gives us recognition and means the community know what we do and why we are there.”

She added that it was important for her group of 19 volunteers to feel appreciated.

“It was very rewarding and I would encourage everyone to get involved,” she said. “It was so lovely to see so many young people doing such great work for the borough.”

Nominations for this year’s awards, including the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen award, sponsored by the Exchange Ilford, can be made until December 14.

Other categories include the Safer Redbridge award, for those making our community safer, and the Green Redbridge award, for people dedicating their time to protecting the environment.

To be nominated for an award you need to either work or live in Redbridge and entries must relate to work between March 2011 and December 2012.

One of this year’s judges, who was also on last year’s panel, Michael Crocker, 65, the vice-chairman of the Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s a good thing it is happening again this year as last year it was really great.”

Mr Crocker added: “After I got involved I found out how good people are, it brings a good feeling to the borough.

“Last year so many people were nominated and each could have won on their own merits.”

Visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/mayorsawards for full details of the awards and to make a nomination.