Ahead of his awards ceremony to recognise those making a big difference in Redbridge, Mayor cLLR Muhammed Javed has talked to the Recorder about the importance of giving time for others.
The Recorder, along with Exchange Ilford and Redbridge Rotary Club, will honour the Young Citizen of the year at the Mayor’s evening in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, on January 26.
And Cllr Javed, who has served on Redbridge Council since he was elected in 1982, will also celebrate those making the community safer, protecting the local environment, caring for others and helping young people.
He said: “We should highlight people who give their time for others.
“There are lots and lots of people who give time for others.
“I’m going out and meeting people and organisations that are doing very worthwhile jobs.”
An individual and an organisation will be recognised in the Safer Redbridge, Green Redbridge, Caring Redbridge and Contribution to Redbridge Young People awards.
And the Redbridge Best Business and Young Citizen awards will also be handed out on the night.
One of the judges on the panel, Cllr Barbara White, said she hoped the awards will get other people interested in doing the same thing.
Cllr Javed echoed those sentiments.
He said: “A lot of the organisations say we could do with extra volunteers.
“Part of the problem is we live busy lives and people say they don’t have time do things.”
He has also done his own bit to give time for others in Redbridge, the theme of his awards, and regularly visits a 96-year-old Ilford woman who was first brought to his attention when she was burgled.
He said: “She’s got no relatives or real friends. I did up her front garden. I still go and see her.”
The Mayor has taken her pie and mash and arranged for her to have Christmas dinner for the first time.
He is now planning a Christmas dinner celebration at Redbridge Town Hall this year.
He said: “Already council staff have said to me that they want to help.”
Entries close December 14.
Visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/mayorsawards.
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