Borough champions recognised at ceremony (From Streatham Guardian)

Borough champions recognised at ceremony

4:30pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

A number of champions in the borough have been recognised for going the extra mile.

The Lambeth Champions Awards, organised by Lambeth Council, saw people honoured for their community work.

Awards were handed out to a group which supports homeless people in West Norwood, a woman who transformed her local park and volunteers who support victims of crime.

Allison Thomas-Smith and Wilf Thomas-Smith were honoured for running the Brixton Bulls Rugby club, which helps Lambeth youngsters get into rugby.

Another award was given out to Elizabeth Mayton who was the first person to suggest a foodbank in West Norwood, and now works as the main administrator.

Both Malcolm Thorburn and Nuvit Salih were awarded for offering victim support, with the pair working at least one day a week towards the cause.

The ceremony was the second of three to be held this year and was hosted by the mayor of Lambeth Councillor Clive Bennett.

Deputy leader of the council, Councillor Jackie Meldrum, and Lambeth Chief Executive Derrick Anderson, also hosted the event.

All nominations will be put forward to the annual civic awards where a panel of judges will decide two brand new Civic Award Winners, within a Lambeth Champions of the Year category.

Coun Meldrum said: "The Lambeth Champions awards is our way of saying thank to you to those people who give up their time week in week out to make a really positive contribution to the borough. 

"It is about recognising those people and groups that go the extra mile to help others and to help make Lambeth a better place to be.

"It was truly inspiring to be able to meet and personally thank so many wonderful people."