Redbridge Community Awards the Winners!

Hundreds of people attended a ceremony in Ilford Town Hall  Friday 9th November 2012 to honour the numerous community volunteers and leaders, responsible for improving the lives of others.  The inaugural Redbridge Community awards were initiated to recognise the contribution of self sacrificing community stalwarts that have created a lively, well-integrated, healthy society in our borough. Shorlisted nominees from several categories and their guests were invited to a celebratory evening full of live music, fascinating talks and a trophy presentation.  Our special thanks to Band Ooberfues, Shin Cobra and of course Redbridge School of Gymnastics.

Special guest Dr Martin Stern one of the few remaining Nazi Holocaust survivors spoke of the need for communities to work together to combat racism and prejudice.  In an emotive speech he described his torment during his imprisonment at a concentration camp.  He said;  

"I was one of the luck ones if I had been taken to Auschwitz I could have died within 2 hours, many of my friends and family were not so fortunate"  He added;

"It is wonderful to see the harmonious society here in Redbridge.  It is imperative that the community bridges that have been built are not deconstructed, we all have our part to play in creating a fairer society."  

Independent Judges for the awards included; Chief Inspector Elaine Casey, Jacquie Grieves - Redbridge Faith Forum, Darren Trippick - Redbridge Sports Development Office and Anja Beinroth - East London Community Foundation.  Some of the categories were extremely difficult to distinguish between nominations and smaller trophies were given to those that "just missed the mark."

We list the winners below however their biographies can be read in the link just underneath:

(Click here)

Winners

Community Stalwart Category

Bushra Tahir Founder - Awaaz Group

Runner up:

Chris Wyatt - Redbridge Music Lounge

Bushra Tahir receives award from Darren Trippick Redbridge Sports Development Officer

Anja Beinroth (ELCF), Chief Inspector Elaine Casey, Bushra Tahir, Darren Trippick and Wilson Chowdhry.

Performance for the Community

Mr Kuldeep Singh and Sukhbinderjeet Kour

Runner Up:

Redbridge School of Gymnastics

Chief Inspector Elaine Casey presenting trophy to "Kuldeep and Rimpy"

Chief Inspector Elaine Casey presents RSG with Runners-Up certificate.

Sport for the Community

Spartans Basketball Club

1st Runner up:

Redbridge School of Gynmnastics

2nd Runner up:

Foundation Football

Chief Inspector Elaine Casey presents trophy to Spartans Basketball Club.

Paul Mckenzie of Spartans thanks the RCA Awards and his supporters.

The RSG Display Team collect their trophy and a special runners -up trophy for their dual nomination!

RSG with Anja Beinroth (ELCF)

The girls from RSG shouted a big thank you to their instructor Stephanie Thomas!

Anja Beinroth of ELCF presents certificate to Tony Charles Foundation Football

Volunteer of the Year 

Chandra Arora - Hockey Coach

1st Runners up

Ursula Rabbitte - Victim Support and Danny O'Brien Anti-knifeUK (tied score)

2nd Runner up

 Cecelia Ngeze Victim Support/EIBP 

Mr Chandra Arora collects his trophy

Danny O'Brien  presented certificate by Darren Trippick. 

Cecilia Ngeze collects certificate for Ursula Rabbitte

Cecelia NGeze collects her certificate flanked by judges and Wilson Chowdhry

Young Volunteer

Mr Akshay Mandalia - Air Training Corps Cadet

Runner - Up:

Vino Mano - Ilford County High School

Chief Inspector Elaine Casey presents Young Volunteer trophy to Akshay Mandalia

Akshay Mandalia flanked by all judges and Wilson Chowdhry

EIBP Chairperson Sania Satwat collects certificate on behalf of Vino Mano

Life Time Achievement

Len Hoffmann - Mossford Table Tennis Club

Runner Up:

Neelam Pahl (various)

Anja Beinroth presents trophy to Len Hoffman

Anja Beinroith presents Certficate to Neelam Pahl

Neelam Pahl flanked by all judges and Wilson Chowdhry

Police Officer of the Year

PC Estella Dooley - Valentines Ward

Chief Inspector Elaine Casey presents award to PC Estella Dooley 

PC Dooley flanked judges and Wilson Chowdhry

Group shot of winners

Group shot of winners

Spartans Basketball club

Dr Martin Stern and Wilson Chowdhry

Redbridge School of Gymnastics performing on stage.

Hannah Chowdhry finds things awkward.

Literally hundreds came to the event.

Hannah Chowdhry all smiles!

Shin Cobra performed Punjabi tracks form his latest album!

Copies of Shin's recent album were given to dancers challenged from the audience!

People of all diversities awaited the results.

More images