They are all heroes in the eyes of their nominators, and who could argue? – but somebody has to win.
The Gazette and Uxbridge College’s Local Heroes Awards for 2014 will be presented to the proud but ever-modest recipients when they and their guests join us at Uxbridge College in Hayes on June 5.
The judges sat down last month to come up with a list of finalists, and for the first time we are proud to reveal their names and faces.
This year they line up in a new format. While still considering the qualities of community spirit, fundraising and courage – among others – we simplified the proces and divided the nominees into two categories: Children and Young People (anyone under 18 years old) and Adults.
From the mass of nominations came a shortlist, and from the shortlist came the finalists who you see here.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Stephanie Bayford
Stephanie has set up a group called Little Specials, for special needs children and kids with life shortening illnesses, at Oak Farm Library in Hillingdon. It offers a place for their parents to socialise with other parents and children with special needs, and little ones can get involved with activities such as art and craft and playing with sensory toys. Stephanie has funded everything single handed from her apprenticeship wages at a special needs school.
Casey Burke
Through the Walking Matilda fund, Casey helped raise £40,000 so her friend, Matilda Duncan, could have surgery to enable her to walk without a frame. Both girls have cerebral palsy and are pupils at Coteford Infant School in Eastcote. Her grandma says: “I really think that she deserves the honour of being thanked in this way. I am one VERY proud mamma!” Jo Copley says: “What a remarkable child. Her generosity, kindness and determination are outstanding. Well done Casey, you brought a tear to my eyes and made me feel very proud of what a little girl can do.”
Alexander and Daniel Bisland
Mum, Caterina, says: “I am nominating my two boys as they are my heroes! I am very proud of them both especially as they always think of others.” Over the past four years have raised about £1,200 for Children in Need.
“Each year they come up with their own fundraising ideas and get family and friends to sponsor them. They have also helped other children’s charities, including Operation Christmas Child and sent shoe boxes of goodies to Belarus.
ADULTS
Scott and Margaret Dick
“I have known Scott and Margaret Dick for about 30 years,” said nominator Dawn Binnington. “They have worked tirelessly trying to keep BMX available in Hillingdon borough, encouraging hundreds of people to get involved in the sport. They give up almost every weekend to promote and support BMX and British cycling, as well as many weekdays. The constantly try to keep Hayes Hawks on fundraising and grant applications, and maintain the site at Hayes BMX track.”
Shenaz Mahomed
A sports teacher who works tirelessly promoting sport at school and within the larger community in Hillingdon. Shenaz organised the first ‘Harlympics’, for children in the Learning Support Centre, and organised an inclusive wheelchair basketball team which represented Hillingdon. She trains pupils for volunteer work around the borough, and set up a Sports Relief event at school, raising £450.
“We are very proud of her at Harlington School,” said nominator Jackie Green.
Dot Bryant
Dot is a member of the pool committee which helped raise cash to refurbish the pool at Hillingdon Manor School for children with autism. She is among those who have arranged tabletop and cake sales, helping apply for grants and encouraging donation.
The Friends of Eastcote House Gardens
The Friends group was formed in June 2008 with the aim of restoring the gardens and outbuildings of the former Eastcote House, demolished in 1974. The garden and remaining buildings date back to the 17th century, and recently added to the group’s domain is the eleven acre Long Meadow, a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. The group meets regularly and now runs volunteers days. It has also secured major donations and grants, including a £1.3m Heritage Lottery grant in 2013.
Caroline Earley
Two year old Max Earley died in November 2012, just two months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Since then, his mother, Caroline, has raised money for The Brain Tumour Charity, which funds vital research. She has also worked with HeadSmart, a campaign which grew from the delayed diagnosis of brain tumours, to help raise awareness of symptoms. It is believed Max could have been saved if he had been diagnosed earlier.
Doreen McIntyre
Nominated for her continued dedication to argue the case against HS2 for Harefield. Doreen is chairman of Harefield Against HS2, and she lobbies at Westminster, organises petitions, attends many meetings, helping to make sense of complicated documents so people can understand what they mean for them, and keeping the community informed. Doreen works to protect the lakes of Harefield, guarding against traffic chaos, construction noise and mess, excavation, dumping of spoil etc.
Andrew Riley
Joan Butfield says: “Andrew has revolutionised Northwood Hills with his unstinting passion for its future. He goes the extra mile for all residents in his capacity as chairman of Northwood Hills Residents’ Association.
“We are very luck to have someone of his capabilities doing so much voluntary work.”
Ann Sargent
Ann set up the charity Ear 4 You in 2008, helping support deaf people. Twenty-three years earlier she had suddenly lost the hearing in one ear, and after medical tests found this was permanant. She was sent away with no help. Many years later she eventually received a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA), and as well as runing a support group in Ruislip and a very informative website, she is also secretary of the BAHA support group at the Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat hospital. Ear 4 You was one of the Mayor’s charities in 2009.
Alison Vaughan
Alison is group leader of the 6th Northwood Brownies where she runs meetings every week and is heavily involved in events and holidays. She also volunteers at Hillside School helping children read. Alison, who lives with her mother Stella, has had spinal muscular atrophy since birth and uses a wheelchair.
Recycle-A-Bike
This volunteer organisation which recently moved to The Old Fire Station in Uxbridge offers the community a bike maintenance and repair service, recycles unwanted bikes and sells them on, and gives people recovering from mental illness opportunities to learn skills and get work experience.
The new premises had to be completely refurbished and redecorated and this was done by the project leader Nick Gore. Service users including Pete, and other volunteers include a carpenter, who built work benches, bike stands, a reception desk and so on. The project first began life about seven years ago at Hillingdon Hospital ,with one workstation for patients to learn how to fix bikes. Several service users have now qualified as bike mechanics and got jobs in commercial bike shops. Nick has put in many free overtime to make it a success. The organisation hopes to expand and gain more funding.
Lyn Hanlon
Nominator Ann Tuit says: “Lyn runs our luncheon club which is known as Cranford Good Neighbours. I joined the club two years ago, and it has changed my life for the better as it has many others. We all really do appreciate what she does for us.”
Lyn organises lunches twice weekly for residents of Hillingdon and Hounslow, plus trips, visits to shows, pub lunches etc. She takes full responsibility for a number of disabled people in her care.
John Davies
John is in his 70s, lives in Cobden Close sheltered accommodation in Uxbridge and is always helping the other residents with DIY and computer problems. He has a big box full of tools and is always happy to go round to other residents’ and do jobs like putting up shelves or curtains, setting up new printers or dealing with computer problems for them. He has lived in Cobden Close for about five years and is chairman of its residents’ association. He keeps in touch with Hillingdon Council and arranged for ward councillor Judith Cooper to come to the flats regularly and listen to residents’ concerns. He also has such a helpful and approachable attitude that even people who are shy about asking for help feel comfortable approaching him. He does not ask for any thanks because he is happy just to do it, but he has made a big difference with all the little things he has done.
Ann Greenaway
Mrs R. Lawrence says: “Always ready to help.” Jean Harvey says: “Because she’s worth it.” Sara Brown says: “Ann is such a great ambassador for volunteering and gives a huge amount of her time to other people.”
A constant volunteer in Hillingdon, Ann Greenaway has volunteered at Mencap Hillingdon for over 40 years. Her son has cerebral palsy, so her family is involved in the organisation, and Ann takes a group of adults to Scotland, encourages everyone to dance and has brokered many friendships. She volunteers every Friday at Hillingdon Blind Bowlers Club and helps at its fundraising events. She is also a volunteer at Hillingdon Rural Agricultural Centre, for people with learning disabilities.
Alia Jones
Alia started a charity in Hillingdon, Halo, to support children suffering with bereavement. She lost her partner in 2011, two weeks after giving birth to their second child, when their first child, Nevaeh, was just two. As well as using her own very difficult experience to empathise with and support others, and setting up the group to provide support to others, she has also been involved in various fundraising events.
Matt Martin
Matt is a fantastic neighbour and a loyal volunteer at St Bernadette’s church. He is always on hand to keep the church tidy and in good condition, and does the same for the local area. He keeps the alleyways in his area clean and tidy and is always helping others; for example he pulled out the fireplace of a pensioner and mowed the lawn of a neighbour with cancer. He also recently completed a 12-mile walk in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Pyllis Robinson
Uxbridge Old People’s Welfare Association, which nominated her, said: “She is the best cook the old people have had for a very long time.”
Lunches are served at Fassnidge Memorial Hall daily, ensuring elderly people not only benefit from a nourishing, hot meal but also get to socialise with others.
Ken and Gill Anstiss
“I would like to nominate my parents Ken and Gill Anstill for a joint award,” said their daughter, Hayley Wood.
“My daughter, Lily, has a rare genetic considtion called phenylketonuria (PKU), and my nephew, Jude, has autism.
“Both my parents have helped care for them in so many ways. I really don’t know how we could have coped with Jude and Lilly’s conditions without them.
“Lily’s condition means her diet is very restricted, and mum always makes her food interesting, with homemade crumps, Danish pastries, pies and cakes etc.
“Dad has always been a huge encouragement to Lily and is also Jude’s hero. Jude has autism and he finds many everyday tasks very difficult. My dad is a very calming influence, and teaches him so many things in a way that Jude can understand.
“Dad is calm and patient, has taught Jude woodwork and reading, and even accompanies him on school trips as he cannot go alone because of his lack of road sense”.
Lynn Galvin
Daughter, Hannah, said: “I’d like to nominate my mum Lynn Galvin. She is an absolutely incredible woman who I love so much. Mum has brought me up on her own from a young age with added pressures of my health, money worries and caring for my nan. I cannot express how I would love it if she could be nominated for an award to show her that we do appreciate all her hard work, care, love and support.
“I have suffered from depression and anxiety since the age of 12 and been in and out of hospital numerous times, and I also have diabetes.
“Lynn gets up at 3am to go to work at 5am, finishes at 9am, then goes to another job. “She then goes to her own mother’s house and helps her with cleaning, cooking and medication, then she comes home about 5pm to do house cleaning and washing and cook dinner for the six of us.”
Specialist Care Services
Hazel Callender’s carers were aware she had been ill and had a temperature. They stayed for longer than they should have done to sponge her and bring her temperature down. Although she eventually had to go to hospital and stayed there for five weeks, she very much appreciated their kindness.
“I appreciate the carers for not rushing off and showing me empathy and compassion,” said Hazel.
Jagjit Singh Batth
Jagit ‘Marathon’ Singh has completed a century of the 26-mile races. His 100th was in Rio De Janeiro in July 2013, and he has run in six of the world’s seven continents and raised sponsorship for charities including Age UK Hillingdon, Get Kids Going (for children with disabilities) Cancer Research and the Samaritans.
Tejinder Soor
Tejinder wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the community nurses who cared for his wife before she died from cancer at their home earlier this year. He was grateful that she was able to be at home through her illness right until she died thanks to the help of the nurses, who also acted as counsellors to support the family during this time. A total of £970 was raised, including £300 from Minet School, where Surinder was a teaching assistance. The family bought nine new nurses’ bags, two mini-fridges to store medicines and blood in case of emergencies.
George Tomlin
In the latest of numerous fundraising activities, a charity golf tournament Mr Tomlin organised raised almost £2,000 for research and support for people with MS. Sixty players turned out to compete on Captains Day in Ruislip Golf Club in Ickenham Road, Ruislip. An auction and race night followed the game, as part of the fundraising.
