AWARDS were made on Tuesday (21) to 25 of Hillingdon’s unsung heroes for the often unseen work they do in the community.

At the end of 2021, the council encouraged residents to nominate those going the extra mile to make a difference to the lives of others.

Of the 150 nominations received, 25 were shortlisted as winners across various categories.

They were invited to attend the awards ceremony in the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, where they were presented with lapel pins and certificates by the Mayor, Cllr Becky Haggar, and Leader, Cllr Ian Edwards.  

Samantha Queen, of West Ruislip, won a Bronze Extraordinary Achievement award for her work delivering food packages to those shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also raised £1,000 through the Co-op where she works, to fund a defibrillator for Ickenham Village Hall and teamed up with Ickenham Bikewise to donate food to Hillingdon Foodbank. 

Angela Cox, from Hayes, received Gold in the Helping Communities award category. 

She was nominated for organising a range of events, from afternoon teas for older people, career days and after-school clubs and for mustering 200 volunteers to transform the gardens at four care homes. 

David Gentry, from Uxbridge, won a Bronze Keeping the Borough Healthy award. 

In 2020, he received the British Citizen Award at Westminster Palace for his charity work and for educating children on the dangers and effects of street/knife crime and bullying.

He was also recognised for his fund-raising efforts for the NHS. 

Winner of the evening’s top honour, the Special Recognition award, was Eastcote’s Brian ‘Bob’ Beeston, 91.

He was presented with The Civic Medal for committing 80 years to helping his scout group. The Civic Medal is the highest award the council can bestow after Freedom of the Borough. 

The Mayor said: “It was such a privilege to meet the winners and hear a little more about what they have achieved.”

Full list of winners: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/community-awards