Wandsworth Civic Award 2025 winners announced 

The Civic Awards celebrate and recognise Wandsworth residents that go above and beyond to help others and make outstanding contributions to the local community – often without any recognition.

This year, there are winners in 11 categories – an expansion on previous years reflecting the large number of high quality entries.

Mayor of Wandsworth Jeremy Ambache said: “The Wandsworth Civic Awards represent the highest accolade our council can bestow on members of our community. All our nominees work tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable among us, and their impressive commitment, expertise, and effort transforms lives every day.

“It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements and express the deep gratitude felt by myself, the council, and the entire Wandsworth community.”

The winners are:

Bravery Award

“Bravery, compassion and understanding” are words used to describe James Cowdrey, who drew on his lived experience of suicide to help someone in crisis on the tracks at Wandsworth Town railway station last year. His quick thinking and passion for supporting those in distress helped James save a person’s life that day.

Runner ups: Pavlo Protsenko, Adam Razvi

Charity Champion

Daniel Brandon’s positive energy and commitment bring a sense of joy to Tooting Community Kitchen’s foodbank and street stalls. Always hardworking, cheerful and approachable, Daniel combines regular volunteering at Tooting Community Kitchen and local charity Little Village with a full-time job.

Runners Up: Asli Gogan Aslin, John Marsh

Charity Champion (Creative Contribution)

As part of the Furzedown Annual Charity Events (FACE) fundraising group, Alan Feast has been crucial in supporting local good causes including St George’s Hospital, Wandsworth Amateur Swimming Association’s disability programme, and South London Motor Neurone Disease Association. Alan goes the extra mile by welcoming guests into his own back garden for the FACE Summer Garden Gig event – helping raise even more cash for local charities.

Runners Up: Lucy Dolan, Urvashi Patel

Charity Champion (Long Service)

Lee Marshall was one of the co-founders of the influential LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall in the 1980s, and has dedicated much of his life to standing up for equality at a local, national, and global level. Currently chair of the Diversity Project Charity, which helps young, disadvantaged people into careers in the City of London, Lee’s service to diversity and inclusion was formally honoured by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2022.

Runner Up: Winston and Vivien Belgrave, Nisar Bawany

Charity Champion (Volunteers)

Prabha Mistry – known as Pam – epitomises the ‘Sparkle’ ethos at its four intergenerational community centres across Wandsworth. Part of Sparkle since its inception three years ago, Pam’s passion for connecting communities spans cooking, crafts, digital inclusion and sharing cultural experiences like Diwali celebrations.

Runners Up: Philip Beddows, Wandsworth Food Bank Team

Community Champion

Sarah Rackham’s influence from almost five decades of community involvement is evident in the lengthy list of organisations she’s supported, including Katherine Low Settlement, Battersea Befriending Network and Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network. A director of mental health charity Sound Minds since 2019, Sarah also chairs the Voluntary Sector Forum under the Wandsworth Care Alliance, focusing on health, wellbeing, and community empowerment.

Runners Up: Frederica Huggins, Orleen McIntosh, Joseph Lagden, Val Croll

Community Champion (Community Building)

The Lonely Girls Club has gone from strength to strength, thanks to Holly Cooke’s passion for creating safe and inclusive spaces for women to meet, try new activities, build friendships, and beat loneliness. Growing from five people to a community of thousands in the past almost-seven years, activities range from a monthly book club hosted in Battersea, to walk clubs, retreats, and karaoke nights.

Runners Up: Nicola Pattinson, Stefani Cotardo and Ilenia Goffredo

Community Champion (Supporting People)

Pamela Harris has an unwavering dedication making a real difference in Roehampton’s Alton Estate. Running the weekly 60+ Cafe for more than a decade has supported numerous older people, while Pam’s involvement in the Roehampton Trust, the Roehampton Voice newsletter, and Our Roehampton showcases her commitment to local people.

Fozia Riaz’s Happy Homes community organisation helps support local people in a positive way, whether through social interaction, practical help with form-filling or digital systems, creativity, or even learning how to live more sustainably. Fozia is praised for her initiatives that “reflect care, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to social impact”, particularly in supporting South Asian families.

Runner Up: Javed Bhunnoo

Cultural Champion

Sahana Gero founded the World Heart Beat Academy in 2009 and has overseen its growth to a base in Kimber Road and a cultural hub in Nine Elms. Around 350 children and young people attend the music academy each week for lessons and performances, while bursaries support disadvantaged young musicians, alongside a mentoring programme and industry training scheme.

Runners Up: Colleen Samuel, Tiah Algalarrondo, Ruth Essel

Environmental Hero

Janneke Diemel launched the charity Critical Support during the Covid-19 pandemic to help tackle food poverty. Four tonnes of food that would otherwise go to waste is collected every week benefitting more than 10,000 people. The produce collected by Critical Support helps at least 25 community organisations, including soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, refugee centres, and domestic violence charities

Runners Up: Benedict Cuddon, Serena Potter

Young Person of the Year

Lamees Bazuti has overcome health challenges to advocate for the Wandsworth Youth Bus – a mobile youth centre on the road six days a week – as well as helping design the new Block A youth space in Roehampton. The 17-year-old has been a Young Ambassador for the past three years, and has led on empowering other youngsters to share their voice on community issues.

Runner Up: Janae Thompson-Cole