The cream of Redbridge’s volunteers was recognised at the Mayor’s Community Awards last night.

From a Scouts group to a teenager teaching other young people computer programming; a Victim Support volunteer of more than a decade and a guerrilla gardener – all were among the winners at the ceremony in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

The Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Felicity Banks had the honour of handing out awards to the hard-working volunteers of all ages in a packed council chamber.

Lucy Daldy, 24, was named as the winner of the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award after raising awareness among young people of sexual abuse.

She turned the pain of her own experience being abused by a family friend when she was just seven years old into a positive role for her mum Shelley’s charity Step Up.

Together they help families who have suffered similar ordeals.

Lucy was chosen by a panel of judges to be named the overall winner of our award, sponsored by the Exchange Ilford shopping centre, with the 10 monthly Young Citizen award winners also recognised during the ceremony.

Lucy said: “When they said my name, I thought it was a joke.

“I did cry a small tear.

“I just feel like, it seems a bit corny, but it’s for everyone I work with.”

Abda Kazemi, an 18-year-old pupil at Mayfield School, who gave up hundreds of hours for sports volunteering, and Grace Davies, who set up a youth group for disabled people, were named as the runner-ups.

The Caring for Others in Redbridge individual award went to Lelieth Daniels, a foster carer. She and her husband have cared for a 21-year-old disabled women for more than a decade.

She said: “I feel fantastic and blown away. I have never won anything in my life. I didn’t realise that what I do is that important really. Anne is part of our family, everybody loves her.”

The group award went to Link Place Personal Development Centre.

Her husband John, 63, who nominated her, said of her win: “I am very proud, it is absolutely brilliant.”

Janushan Shanmugavadivel, 18, from Ilford County High School, set up his own after-school computing club to teach students, parents and even teachers how to do programming.

He was chosen as the individual winner of the Contribution in Support of Young People award, while the 1st Hainault Scout Group took the group award.

Group Scout leader James Newbiggling, 43, said: “We are really pleased to win. It is down to our volunteers and parents. We have a good bunch of parents who support us. “

Mark Carter, 35, the district explorer scout commissioner, nominated the group as did some parents. He said: “It is a fantastic achievement for the group.”

Former midwife Ursula Shanks, 69, won the Creating a Safer Redbridge individual award for her voluntary work with Victim Support.

She said: “When I was shortlisted I said to my husband that even if I didn’t win it would still be an honour.

“I feel proud; I never win anything, not even a raffle ticket! I’m not somebody who can just sit around at home, I love my work.”

The group award went to Active Change Foundation’s Young Leader’s Programme.

Wanstead guerrilla gardener Marian Temple, who creates green spaces in urban environments, picked up the individual Making a Greener Redbridge award, with Redbridge Lakes getting the group award.

The Best Business Contribution to the Community award went to Sid & Evie’s shoe shop in South Woodford while the Mayor’s Special Award went to Ruth Salahi, the chairman of charity Hopes and Dreams which grants wishes to terminally ill young people.