Local heroes celebrated at Mayor’s Community Awards

This year, the Mayor also presented four special ‘Young Person’ Community Awards, for those under the age of 21, who are carrying out inspiring work in their local area.

On hosting the prestigious awards, Councillor Yogan Yoganathan MBE, Mayor of Kingston, said: 

It has been a great pleasure for me to present Community Awards to incredible, inspiring residents, who have shown such empathy and generosity to others in Kingston. 

 

Throughout my Mayoral year, I’ve been struck by the strong sense of community spirit in our borough and these awards are a brilliant example of the great work being done locally to support others. It is truly an honour to be able to shine a light on these community heroes - many congratulations to them all.

The winners of the Mayor’s Community Awards 2023 are:

Anandaluxmy Gnanasampanthan
Anandaluxmy has been a dedicated member of Kingston Tamil School Netball Club for over 20 years, transforming it into a thriving community with over 150 players. Anandaluxmy has used her enthusiasm for the sport to encourage adults and children to take part. Alongside motivating others, Anandaluxmy has also organised fundraising tournaments. 

Despo Stevens 
Despo volunteers with her local food bank, at the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as through RBKares. During the pandemic, Despo got involved helping others by volunteering to shop and run errands, as well as offering companionship and joining a cooking rota for frontline workers. Despo has kindly helped out with packing gift bags for hospital staff and ‘Warmer in Winter bags’ for those struggling with heating costs, as well as sorting and washing thousands of donations for refugees and food bank clients. 

Vijayaluxmy Wijayasooriar 
Vijayaluxmy (Vije) has been a volunteer at The Centre for Community Development for an incredible 14 years, as well as helping with The Elders Empowerment Programme, which helps older people in the local Tamil community to overcome loneliness, isolation and to empower them to lead an independent, fulfilled life. 

Suzanne Seyghal Buckingham
Suzanne uses her skills as a professional copywriter and communications specialist to raise awareness for many small local groups that make a real difference in supporting vulnerable people in our borough. Among those who Suzanne helps are the Full Cycle Community Bike Project, Cambridge Road Estates Tuesday Group, The Kingston Society and Kingston Cycling Campaign. Suzanne also runs the Sunflower Streets Residents Association. 

Sue Baker
Sue Baker has launched Tea & Treats, a free community afternoon tea, held each month at Swinnerton Hall in North Kingston. This monthly event has created a vital community hub for an increasing number of people, typically those who are new to the area or those who don’t otherwise have much social contact. Sue is amazing at mobilising volunteers and raising funds through BRaG (Burton, Richmond and Gibbon Road Residents Association), who support charities such as Barnfield Riding for the Disabled and The Kingston Food Bank. 

Robert Dobbie
Robert has been the Chair of the Surbiton Festival Committee for the last four years. He has modernised the organisation of the festival, led it through the Covid pandemic, and ensured it returned, stronger than ever. Under Robert’s stewardship, new children's events have been added to the festival programme for families to enjoy. 

Hyung Soo Yim
Hyung Soo Yim started the Korean Senior Citizens Association in 2016 and is the Chairman of the Korean Culture and Arts Association. During the pandemic, Hyung played an active role in providing food both for those isolating and for the volunteers at Kingston Hospital. Hyung has brought greater public awareness of Korean food and the Korean way of life through kimchi festivals, Christmas markets and celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee. 

Julie French 
Julie has been an invaluable member of the BRaG Residents Association Committee. During the pandemic, Julie also became a founding member of the Sewing Angels, who have raised over £25,000 for local charities, including Kingston Food Bank, Momentum, Barnfield Riding for the Disabled, Mind in Kingston, Refugee Action Kingston and KCAH.

Karl Nicholas
Karl became Assistant Bandmaster and Director of Music of the Kingston & Malden Scout & Guide Band in 2000, having joined the Band as a Scout in 1994. Karl’s musical skills, dedication and commitment have enabled the Band to reach a very high standard and become recognised as one of the best Scout & Guide Bands in the UK. Karl has also held several other significant scouting roles, including being the Scout Leader at 2nd Cuddington Scout Group for a fantastic 18 years. 

The winners of the Mayor’s Young Person’s Community Award are:

Stephanie Powell 
Stephanie has been a part of 10th Surbiton Guides unit since they were ten, and a Young Leader in the last two years. Steph is a committed member of the unit and always leads sessions in a confident, mature and charismatic way, explaining activities to Guides with compassion and kindness. 

Charlotte Trevillion
Charlotte started her Guiding life as a Rainbow aged 5 and went on to progress through to Brownies and Guides despite various health conditions, and now volunteers as a Young Leader in the Guides. Charlotte also started learning the clarinet and has joined in many of the events, including the Lord Mayor’s Show, St. George’s Day Parade at Windsor and the Royal Borough of Kingston Band Tattoo. Charlotte now teaches younger members how to play the clarinet and music theory. 

Emily Forey
Emily has been registered with Kingston Young Carers project for over 13 years, as well as being part of the Young Adult Carers group. As a young leader, aged just 18, Emily helped support a young carer with diabetes throughout the Young Carers Festival. She also volunteered her time at the Young Carers Conference this February, where she spoke in front of professionals about her experience and the importance of the project to young carers and professionals in Kingston.

Matthew Down
Matthew is a young volunteer who has been working at the Oxygen charity shop in New Malden for the last two years. During the pandemic, Matthew was instrumental in helping to get the shop up and running again, with his commitment to volunteering and encouraging other young people to volunteer. In summer 2022, as part of his other voluntary role at Sunninghill Community Radio, Matthew did a mammoth 12 hour music marathon which raised a fantastic £860 for Oxygen.