It was not an easy task and everyone was worthy of their nomination, but we believe we have chosen a fantastic group of nominees. They come from all walks of life and across the Ealing borough and what unites them is that each has shown a selfless commitment to their community.

The nominees are:

YOUNG ACHIEVER CATEGORY

Ryan Howard, Harsharan Matharu and Gowthaman Kantharupan are three Brentside School students who raised £3,000 for Ealing Mencap after taking part in the Youth Philanthropic Initiative. They were also so inspired by the charity they became volunteers.

Sisters Keisha, seven, and Deeyani, five , donated their locks to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs for children who have lost their hair. They were nominated by their mum, Shila, from Northolt, who said: “My husband and I feel ever so proud of our daughters. We are very fortunate to have such great girls who think about others, especially at this young age.”

Ahmed Khalif, 18, who had a metal rod inserted in his leg because of a cancerous tumour, has refused to let it dampen his zest for life. He was nominated by Greenford High headteacher Mathew Cramer, who said: “He has settled back into school life with a passion, not wanting to be treated any differently to anyone else.”

BUSINESS CHAMPION

Swapnil Gadgil developed an app for people who cannot speak or are housebound. They allow wheelchair bound people to turn on their TVs or open the door all using their iPads. Swapnil, co-founder of Therapy Box in Acton, used his experience and expertise working in the telecoms sector to develop the specialised programme.

All Original is an innovative shop which has given a platform to local crafters and artists to sell their unique products. Catherine Hansla started All Original, in The Green, Ealing, only a year ago. All the work is handmade by talented local artists and designers whom Catherine met through years spent selling her own handcrafted glass gifts and jewellery at Ealing events and exhibitions.

Ciaran Biggins co-founded MindFood , a social enterprise which helps people suffering from mental health issues by encouraging them to grow their own fruit and veg. He was nominated by Acton Vale vicar, the Reverend Mark Bishop, who is on the MindFood advisory board.

MY HERO:

Chris Sutton is the Ealing Foodbank steering group chairman and involved in setting up other foodbanks. One of his recipients. who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I speak for a lot of people in thanking Chris and all the volunteers who help him for helping people like me. I was quite embarrassed to go along to Ealing Foodbank and ask for help, but I was welcomed and made to feel OK."

Mohammed Saeed, 82, who cannot read or write, said neighbours Comfort and David Fullick have proved a godsend, helping him with letter writing, bills and hospital appointments. The Fullicks, from Greenford, have also raised hundreds of pounds for charity, with Comfort carrying buckets of water round Greenford to raise £1,000.

PC Daniel Strong single-handedly foiled an armed robber after a post office hold-up in Hanwell last year. The unarmed officer who tackled a ‘career criminal’ with a loaded gun was one of five nominations for this year’s Met’s Outstanding Bravery of the Year Awards.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION:

Adam Matan has been nominated by MP Angie Bray for the sterling work he has done to help the Somali community and stop young people joining gangs. Ms Bray said: “He provides leadership and citizenship courses and supports local needs for extra education, employment and other important life skills.”

Margaret Nyuydzewira spearheads the campaign against all kinds of gender-based violence, in particular the little known breast ironing. She co-founded the CAME Women and Girls Development organisation, the first to campaign against breast ironing, an African ritual which involves pressing the breasts of adolescent girls with a stone or spatula heated over a fire.

Amanda Cresswell is partially sighted woman and has cerebral palsy. She nearly died from cancer.  She has talked to organisations and groups about spotting the early signs of cancer and how to cope with other disabilities and tours the UK and Europe to help people cope with the disease. She is on St George’s Hospital’s advisory board, giving insight into how to break bad news to people with learning disabilities.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR:

Ian Breen is the epitome of an organisation’s mission to provide shelter and hope. Ian, 54, who has been manager of the Acton Homeless Concern centre in Berrymead Gardens, Acton, for six years, was nominated by four people who praised him for his devotion and attitude towards others.

Choirmaster Edward Henderson has been nominated for the harmony he has created in a community choir for adults with learning disabilities, their families and friends. He runs The Inclusions, sponsored by Certitude, an Ealing-based organisation which supports people with learning disabilities.

Carole Dinsley prides herself on being an old-style matron whose staff are empowered to work as a team. The paediatric matron at Ealing Hospital’s children’s department was nominated by Kay Larkin, head of nursing at Ealing and Northwick Park hospitals, who said: “Carole goes way above her job description, going that extra mile.