A woman, who has campaigned against animal cruelty and for the rights of those without a voice, has been nominated for one of our awards.

Marion Garnett, who has spearheaded the Animal Welfare Bazaar in Ealing since 1978, was nominated by Mrs Maureen Cameron,86, who said: "Marion and her husband Ray have worked tirelessly for over 30 years promoting the welfare of animals and raising funds. She radiates goodness and is a jewel in unselfishness."

Marion, in her 60s, of Manor Court Road, Hanwell, said: "It’s a wonderful privilege to have been nominated for the Pride in our People Award, but although I organise it, the bazaar would not take place without all those who help make it happen – especially by helping on the day."

The bazaaar, which was initially called the Ecology and Animal Welfare Bazaar until 2010, began because the couple were local area contacts for Compassion in World Farming – a group that campaigns for better treatment for farm animals.

Marion said: "Although we stopped being area contacts in 1983, I could see there was a need in the community for an event like the bazaar, so I carried on organising it.

"Ealing is unique amongst the London Boroughs in having held such an event for the past 36 years. It is quite unusual to have such a large collection of animal welfare charities in one place. Admission has always been free to encourage people to attend.It would not have existed for so many years, in this community, without the huge support and interest in the issues highlighted at the bazaar, from the people of Ealing."

The bazaar, which attracts hundreds of people throughout the day and is backed by the local MPs and MEPs, as well as the mayor, boasts over 30 environmental and animal welfare charities, representing local, national and international societies. Stallholders give out information and sell items to raise funds for their work.

Marion, a former lecturer in palliative care, said: "I never know how much money the bazaar makes in total as I don’t ask the stallholders how much they make. But, from what I hear, over the past 36 years, the bazaar must have raised many tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

"I do, however, believe the bazaar cannot be judged just by how much money it makes. It is also about raising awareness of the environment and encouraging people to be kind to animals and treat them with the compassion and respect, they, like people, deserve."

She is guarded about why some people are cruel to animals and would only say: "Some people have automatic compassion for animals and others find it more difficult to feel that."

The bazaar has had a number of homes, after numbers or cost forced it to move from different halls at Ealing Town Hall to Hanwell Methodist Church. Marion, who writes the Gazette's Animal Rescue Column, has also for the past five years, volunteered for the Dog Service at Crisis at Christmas – the charity which looks after Rough Sleepers (and their dogs) at Christmas and volunteers regularly at the National Animal Welfare Trust and The Mayhew Animal Home.