A GAZETTE reporter received an award last week for his efforts in helping the community in Southall and beyond.
James Gates, who writes for the Southall Gazette, was one of 13 people given the Jai Kali Mata 2012 Community Appreciation Award at a reception held in Hayes.
The awards were given by Guru Gulshan Singh – better known as Guruji – the leader of the Kali Mata Mandir group, a West London organisation working to end homelessness and suffering.
Others honoured included local police community support officers and David Brough, chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership.
After the awards, James said: “It’s a very humbling experience to receive this award, especially considering all I did was write a few stories which drew attention to the work that Guruji does. That said, I’m very grateful to be given this.
“Working with Guruji, I’ve seen first hand the horrible conditions that are endured by the homeless but also by people who are vulnerable and disenfranchised.
“There are a lot of people here today who give countless hours of their time towards helping those less fortunate than themselves. To me, they are the real heroes.”
Mr Singh said: “If it wasn’t for the work that James has done, a lot of what we have accomplished over the past couple of years simply would not have been possible.
“I remember on one occasion when we were desperate for things like medicine and blankets to be donated to help the homeless over the winter months. We ran an appeal in the Southall Gazette and got a fantastic response.”
For more information about the work that Guruji does, visit the website www.kalimata.co.uk.
