Winners of Mayor’s Pride Awards 2018 unveiled
A local charity supporting families affected by cerebral palsy and a scheme to encourage children to reduce food waste are among this year’s winners of the Mayors Pride Awards.
The winners were announced at a special awards evening at St Michal’s Manor on Tuesday 27 March.
The Mayor’s Pride Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of inspiring individuals, hard-working community and voluntary groups, as well as public-spirited businesses.
The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia, said:
The Mayor’s Pride Awards aim to reward these stars of our local community. I was really impressed with the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by this year’s wonderful winners.
I want to thank everyone who nominated charities, businesses or individuals for these awards. We received 87 nominations in total from the public, but the winners stood out from all the rest. They have all contributed significantly to the local community and deserve to be recognised for their efforts.
A special Mayor’s Recognition Award was also presented to Omar Abu-Qalbain and Mutee-ur-rehman Saifullah for launching the 20th St Albans Ansar Scout Group. This award is given to individuals or group that have made a significant impression on the Mayor during his year of office.
The new Scout group is the first to launch in St Albans in the last forty years. It is open to girls and boys who live in and around St Albans and is affiliated to the Muslim Scout Fellowship, part of the Scout Association
The Mayor said:
The two founders of the 20th St Albans Ansar Scout Group are truly inspirational. They have made a great effort to bring young people from across the community together to do fun and exciting Scouting activities.
Guests at the awards ceremony included the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Will Hobhouse and the Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Howard Guard. The awards were sponsored by Morgan Sindall.
The full list of winners of the Mayor’s Pride Awards 2018 is:
Community Champion of the Year - Freddie Latham is an inspiration to others, overcoming personal challenges to raise funds for Rennie Grove Hospice Care, which has provided support to his family.
Cultural Innovation Award - Helen Singer, a Trustee of St Albans Masorti Synagogue, has pioneered the heritage Roots project, securing Lottery Funding for a biographer to record the stories of 12 community members.
Young Person of Distinction - Sharone Kallingra, a pupil at Loreto College, volunteers at the Armoral Hill’s weekly club for the elderly, setting out tables and chairs and making tea for members.
Community Orientated Business of the Year - Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme CIC has been providing packages of tailored support to individual families in crisis for the last 15 years.
Environmental Champion of the Year - Food Waste Ninja is run by Heather, Ruby and Sabrina, who visit schools and cub groups to educate children about where food comes from and how to reduce waste.
Voluntary Sector Award - StarScope offers help to families affected by cerebral palsy. Recently, the charity has been giving emotional and social support to vulnerable adults while they were being re-housed following a care home closure.
Inclusive Communities Award - London Colney Islamic Centre is nominated for the work it does in supporting the local community, raising awareness of different faiths and promoting social inclusion.
Community Project of the Year - St Albans Art Development Team’s Arts on Prescription Project helps people with poor mental health to build their confidence by expressing feelings through creative writing, visual arts and drama.
Mayor’s Recognition Award - Omar Abu-Qalbain and Mutee-ur-rehman Saifullah, are responsible for launching the 20th St Albans Ansar Scout Group bringing children from across the community together to participate in scouting activities.
More information about the awards is available on St Albans City and District Council’s website at: www.stalbans.gov.uk
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544, Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson, Senior Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317, E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk