PEOPLE and organisations in Hillingdon were honoured for their bravery, dedication and community work at the council’s annual Community Awards on Tuesday (14).   

The winners were invited to a ceremony at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge. Awards were presented by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Becky Haggar, the council leader, Cllr Ian Edwards, and Interim Chief Executive Tony Zaman.  

More than 65 nominations were received, with 24 shortlisted as winners across four categories: Bravery, Helping Vulnerable People, Helping Communities and Promoting Health and Wellbeing. 

Cllr Edwards, said: "I had the pleasure of reading every nomination and learning more about the fantastic work being carried out by volunteers and community groups.   

“Once again, the awards have been a genuinely humbling experience.” Winners included:

Bravery award  

The 12-year-old winner of a Gold Bravery award, Nawal Rafi, stunned guests with the re-telling of her incredible courage and quick thinking when her dad, Rafi, had a stroke.  

Nawal, from Uxbridge, recognised the signs immediately as she watched TV with her dad and sister, Simra.  

“I could tell from his appearance and how he was speaking and that the left side of his face went down,” she said. “I’d seen adverts saying how a stroke is and to call 999. I tried my best to stay calm.”

She woke her mother, Leyla, who was ill in bed, even though Rafi insisted he was fine. With an ambulance not immediately available, they took Rafi to hospital in a taxi. 

Dr Dilshani Hunukumbure, a friend of the family who nominated Nawal, said: “I think an average 12-year-old wouldn’t recognise what a stroke is.

“Sometimes even medical professionals miss a stroke. She somehow managed to work it out and raise the alarm.” 

Civic Medal award 

Jennipher Marshall-Jenkinson was recognised for her 50 years as a Scout leader. The Civic Medal is the highest award the council can bestow after Freedom of the Borough. 

She fits her scouting around working as chairman of the Microwave Technologies Association and helping other charities, including Recycle-A-Bike.

Her involvement began as a teenager when she started working for her Queen’s Guide Award, with what was then the 4th Harlington Scout Group.

After decades in uniform, she is now Chairman of the 1st Uxbridge Scout Group and Chairman of the Uxbridge and District Scout Council.
Jennipher said: “It was fun teaching young people life skills that include first aid, map reading and lots of water sports. As a non-uniformed leader, I now look after more of the administrative side.

“I never stop working. I was always taught in my childhood that you should fill every day with something positive.”

Helping Vulnerable People award  

Alia Jones, 39, from Hayes, is the founder of the Halo Children’s Foundation, chosen charity of The Chimes shopping centre. She also runs the Halo Play Café at the centre, which offers play therapy sessions and counselling for children.  

She said: “I started the charity because my children’s dad passed away in 2011 of a misdiagnosed brain tumour at the age of 27.

“My daughter was asking questions of where he was and I couldn’t find a charity that worked in the area to support her, so I decided to set up a group. It’s just grown from there and we have supported more than 200 families to date.” 

Helping Communities award  

In 2011, when Malcolm Penny came to the end of his career in the oil, gas and chemical industries he decided to keep busy with community work.

In addition to volunteering with the 4th Eastcote Scout Group he helps maintain Eastcote House Gardens along with a band of dedicated volunteers.

Malcolm, 72, an Eastcote resident for more than 40 years, said: “The council does the heavy work, tree surgery, grass cutting etc, but there’s a group of us retirees who keep the gardens in good order. It’s very rewarding.

“I also started a litter-picking group. We have an Eastcote litter pick in March linked to the Great British Spring Clean.”

He has also sat on the committees of Eastcote Residents’ Association and his Safer Neighbourhoods Ward panel policing group.

Promoting Health and Wellbeing award  

Boxing coach Brian Smith, 51, from Yeading, set up Yeading Boxing Club in June last year after being part of Northolt ABC for more than 30 years. 

He said: “My old trainer passed away before lockdown 2020 and it didn’t feel right to carry on at Northolt so I decided to start my own club.

“Boxing teaches kids self-confidence and self-defence. It’s also good for keeping the youngsters off the streets.” 

For the full list of winners, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/community-awards