Luton’s Local Heroes Receive Prestigious Community Awards 2016

Over 600 people from Luton’s many diverse communities gathered together for a glittering celebration of the very best at the seventh annual Community Awards, Luton’s acclaimed event of the year.

Venue Central 2 was buzzing as all of the nominees, their families and friends were joined by the Community Award judges; Luton’s two prominent MPs, Kelvin Hopkins and Gavin Shuker; Mayor Tahir Khan; several members of Luton Borough Council, the police force, the fire service and many other VIPs who came to celebrate Luton’s local heroes for the wonderful contributions that they make in the town where they live and work.

The Community Awards were again hosted by Luton Sixth Form College teacher Sufian Sadiq and everyone feasted on a sumptuous three course dinner.

Community Awards founder Mostaque Koyes said “Since the Community Awards began we have been able to recognise many of the wonderful people and charities that help to make Luton such a great town. Every year we are able to make a generous donation to a local charity, thanks to our sponsors, including Headline Sponsor Pictons and the people who buy tickets to attend the event.

“Since the awards began we’ve had hundreds of nominees who have been delighted to receive the recognition that says they deserve an award.  Of course, it’s down to our judges to choose the actual winners and with the exceptionally high calibre of entries we receive it’s a task that never gets easier.”

Sukh Saini, Managing Partner of leading and award-winning regional law firm Pictons, says “We love Community Awards night because it is so inspiring to hear the stories of the many contributions that so called ‘ordinary people’ make to the local community. As hard as it is for the judges to choose the winners, I think it’s even more difficult for us to select the Winner of Winners. This year we knew it had to be Joan Bailey MBE, who has devoted her life for many years to serving the community and the people in it.

This year’s donation went to Level Trust, a charity which helps children from deprived families.

The award winners are:

  • Concern award /Improving Lives Sponsored by Luton Community Lettings
  • Rajab Ali
  • Young Hero Sponsored by Luton Sixth Form College
  • Dirk Withnail
  • Charity of the Year Sponsored by Pictons Solicitors
  • Keech Hospice Care
  • Service with a Smile Sponsored by Masterchef
  • Ridgeway Nursing Home
  • Role model of the Year Sponsored by Safer Luton Partnership and Barnfield College
  • Hujaifa Bibi
  • Community Business of the Year Sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses & Basepoint
  • Vauxhall Motors
  • Exceptional Achievement Award Sponsored by University of Bedfordshire
  • Shopon Miah
  • Community Project of the Year Sponsored by Army
  • Julia Collar
  • Arts Achievement Award Sponsored by Luton Culture
  • Sundon Park Arts
  • The Mark West Award Sponsored by Bedfordshire Luton Community Foundation
  • LANTern
  • Helping Hand Award Sponsored by The Mall Luton
  • Ovais Ahmed
  • Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by Thurlow Nunn
  • Joan Bailey MBE
  • Healthcare Sponsored by Bartham Group
  • Anne Thomson
  • Health and Social Care Champion Sponsored by Healthwatch Luton
  • Tyrone Sutherland
  • Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by Active Luton & Marsh Farm Futures
  • Bevis Gooden
  • Teacher of the Year Sponsored by Venue Central
  • Nicola Marshall
  • Parent in a Million Sponsored by Mary Seacole Housing Association & A Plan Insurance
  • Mahmuda Khanom
  • Julie Murphy
  • Bravery Award Sponsored by Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue
  • Katie Robinson
  • Tracy Foster
  • Rebecca Findlay
  • Yusuf Choudhury
  • Mayors Award – Bedfordshire Police Community Cohesion Team
  • Winner of Winners – Joan Bailey MBE

Ends October 18th 2016

Notes to editors:

Judges’ biographies, award categories, and further details of  Level Trust are available at www.communitycommunications.co.uk

For media enquiries on the Community Awards please contact Mostaque Koyes on 01582 57 34 71, 07931 9 739 67 mostaque@barthamgroup.com or Lynne Hammond lynnehammond@fusemail.com

For Further Information on Pictons Solicitors LLP: Frances Pardell 01582 537137/07908 051600 frances@pardellpr.co.uk