OUTSTANDING individuals who work tirelessly for their communities have been officially recognised for their acts of goodwill.

Winners were presented certificates to honour their wide-ranging voluntary and public spirited efforts during the Brent Community Champions Awards held at Brent Town Hall last Wednesday.

Recipients included thoughtful neighbours, good samaritans, volunteers, carers and charity workers. More than 600 invited guests including councillors, charity workers, friends and family of the winners attended.

Councillor Ralph Fox, making his last appearance as mayor before handing the responsibility over to Councillor Jim O'Sullivan, presented the awards.

He said: "It was a great honour for me to give out these awards as my last duty as mayor of Brent. Over the last year I have met many residents across the borough who have given their own time to help others. They have impressed me, not just for their commitment to their activities, but for their values in being so dedicated to their voluntary work. It was a very exciting and memorable night for us all."

The winners

FIRST up for an award was Annette Whenman for her contribution to the redevelopment of Chalkhill Estate. Annette first got involved in the programme to transform Chalkhill in 1996 and was described by her sponsor as the 'backbone' of the community.

The night's second award was presented to Bharti Patel who for the past five years has volunteered at the Kiran Talking Newspapers for the blind. Twice a month she travels from Hayes to Brent and writes poems to share with blind and visually impaired listeners through the talking newspaper.

Helping her neighbours with their shopping and representing their interests when they have issues with the council is all in a day's work for Carol Nicolls , who for 13 years volunteered at Strathcona Day Centre, spending days out with young people with learning difficulties.

She also keeps the garden at Willesden Police Station in shape - helping it win the Brent In Bloom competition last year.

Carol Ogihara-Reeman , who has helped out at Malorees Infant and Junior school for five years, was hailed as a community champion this year. Carol gives up her time to work with the children and helps out in the junior school library. She was instrumental in the clean up of Rainbow Park and the surrounding area which is now graffiti free and in regular use by young people.

Chunilal Kakad , 80, began his long commitment to volunteering back in the 1970s. In 1978 he joined Brent Volunteering Service Council and began helping Asian people who had migrated to Brent. Throughout the 70s and early 80s he visited Asian families during evenings and weekends, helping them with their shopping and completing forms.

The grandfather-of-four from Kingsbury also volunteers for the Willesden Association for the Welfare of the Handicapped, where he organises trips for disabled members. He collects clothing for St Luke's Hospice and volunteers for the League of Friends at Northwick Park Hospital. He said: "I have not been involved in charity for personal gain. I have always felt that I should give back to the community."

Residents and shopkeepers of Preston Road and Mount Stewart have benefited from the voluntary work of David Atlass - a founding member of the local residents' association. David was vice chairman for two years and chairman for a further 15 years. Since he stepped down he has remained an active member of the committee. David is also a campaigner for the preservation of buildings in the Mount Stewart Conservation Area.

At just 16, Dexter McLean was this year's youngest award winner for his contribution to the Brent Youth Parliament. Dexter makes sure the views of young people with disabilities are represented and attends Brent Youth Forum where he is a 'grant maker'.

Harbi Farah was honoured for his outstanding work with the Somali community. Harbi's aim is to bring together the Somali community with other communities in Brent and has promoted the educational needs of Somali young people. He organises sporting events, seminars and fundraises for Somalis still living in Somalia.

Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Jill Gilbert was presented with an award for 10 years voluntary work in the Northwick Park ward. Her work involves producing a newsletter and representing Northwick Park on the police ward panel four times a year. As secretary for the Brent Neighbourhood Watch, she takes minutes, distributes papers and promotes the work of the organisation.

Hurst Lodge is a better place to live thanks to Joan Madigan . As well as ensuring the grounds are kept neat and tidy, Joan represents the views of vulnerable residents who live at Hurst Lodge, as well as mediating between landlords and tenants. For the past four years Joan has carried out the duties of chairwoman and secretary of the Hurst Lodge Residents' Association.

Jyoti Raja is a founding member of the Asian People's Disability Alliance, which was set up to raise awareness about issues facing disabled Asian people in the UK.

Her colleague Rekha Mehta , a fellow volunteer at the centre, was also awarded for teaching English, embroidery, craftwork, painting, knitting and sewing. She is joint treasurer of the alliance with Jyoti and they both run a disabled wheelchair dance group together.

Kamini Patel volunteers at the Federation of Patidar Associations and the Encee Academy of Performing Arts. Kamini works mainly with young children who attend the dance practice, but also gives her time to the cultural classes at the centre. Kamini helps organise performances including the annual Diwali celebrations.

For seven years Karen Foster has volunteered with Brent Mind. She attends a weekly drop-in service for adults with mental health needs. Karen is an active listener, plays board games with the clients and organises the catering. She also helps out with the administration duties and arrangements for its AGM.

Lorraine Skinner couldn't be at the ceremony but will be presented with an award at a later date for her part in Brent's StreetWatcher campaign. She reports envirocrimes such as graffiti and flytipping. Lorraine helped her street become the first Green Zone in the borough in 2007.

Miski Abdullah volunteers for the Help Somalia Foundation and organises activities for young people who have recently moved to this country. She also campaigns on behalf of young Somali people in Brent. Miski has managed to raise a massive £9,600 of funding to run a weekly Somali Youth Club.

Mohammed Afzal is an active volunteer at the Pakistan Community Centre in Brent. As well as working as a trustee Mohammed is regularly involved in fundraising for the centre.

For 10 years Patricia Davies has volunteered for Brent Mencap, a charity for people with learning disabilities living in the borough. As well as volunteering Patricia is also a dedicated treasurer and trustee.

Former Brent Councillor, Peter Nelke , was awarded for 18 years' voluntary work. Peter has been a trustee of Middlesex ITeC since 1991 and secretary for the organisation since 1997. Middlesex ITeC is a voluntary group which offers computer training to residents - especially the unemployed. Peter has also volunteered with Age Concern for four years and worked as a governor for two different schools over nine years.

Rabiur Tarafder has raised more than £9,000 for charity, is involved in the Brent River Project, mentors young teens and has volunteered at the local magistrates' court. Rabiur attends Alperton Community School where he helps out at school events such as open evenings.

Sisters Ros and Valerie Govia are the founding members of Youth Unity, a youth club based in Harlesden. Along with other parents belonging to the parish of St Matthew's Church in St Mary's Road, they set up the club six years ago. It has around 25 members between the ages of 10 and 20 and helps them use their skills in a positive way. Ros and Valerie also organise cultural events including a Black History celebration, fashion shows for young people and the Youth Unity Dance shows. They raise money for the club through cultural events and church bazaars.

Valerie said: "We just want to make sure children are utilising their skills and not out on the streets looking for trouble."

Seventeen-year-old Rozina Sabur is a member of the Young Friends of the River Brent Project and has helped improve the environment by litter picking and tree planting.

She also helps organise the annual River Brent Fair and canal boat trips. For the past two years Rozina has helped children with reading, writing and play activities during half-term and after school. She also helps out at the Wembley Learning Centre, Preston Manor High School, is a member of the Brent Youth Volunteers and helps arrange activities at her church.

Eighteen-year-old Seif Khabaz moved to Brent from Denmark three years ago. The Alperton Community School student helps young children after school with their studies and has worked with the Brent Youth Service. He volunteers at Preston Manor High School on Saturdays offering support to young people and represents young people at the European Parliament.

Councillor Colum Moloney , who has spent more than 25 years as an elected councillor, was presented with a special long-service award for his hard work and dedication to the people of the borough.