Six Wandsworth heroes were recognised for going above and beyond for their community in a Westminster celebration last week.
A number of organisations and charities were invited by Tooting MP Sadiq Khan to attend the Community Heroes event hosted in the historic state rooms of the Speaker’s House in Westminster.
The occasion was one of the first of its kind for Wandsworth with awards presented by the Mayor of Wandsworth and John Bercow
Mr. Khan said: “I was delighted when the Speaker agreed to grant me permission to use his state rooms to host this unique event.
“These historic rooms provided beautiful surroundings for celebrating the best of community in Tooting and across Wandsworth.
“This is the first time we have ever been able to get so many locally-based community organisations, and their volunteers, together in one room and what a success it has been!
“We are really fortunate to have so many community heroes here in Wandsworth, and it was great to be able to thank them for all their hard work and recognise those who really do go above and beyond for our community.”
Among the awarded residents was Chair of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce Steve Pinto and Geoff Simmons, founder of the WWI commemoration project Summerstown182.
Mr Simmons said: “I feel so proud to have been chosen as one of the community heroes at the Houses of Parliament.
“It was enough to just be in that gathering and meet all the people doing such great things in our area, but to be picked out for an award in such company was incredible.”
Mr Pinto said: “The success of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce is the result of a team effort and I am sure the board and our members will support me in sharing this recognition and offering our thanks and appreciation to Sadiq for thinking of us in this light.”
Tom Arms of the campaign to save the Romany Scout Hut, Chair of Furzedown Community Network Suzanne Ellis, Metropolitan Police Special Fred Ahmed and St Paul’s Church Rev Sue Clarke who helped establish the Wandsworth Foodbank also received awards.
