Harrow's Heroes

Nominations are now closed for our flagship community awards. We'll be celebrating our finalists and winners in September. 

Harrow’s Heroes celebrates the extraordinary achievements, hard work and dedication of local people and teams who make our borough a special place to live, work and visit. Every day residents, volunteers and community groups go above and beyond to make a real positive and lasting difference to others and their neighbourhood. 

The awards showcase the best of Harrow, and shines a light on their contributions. 

2026 Finalists: 

Outstanding Young Person

• Amir Subratty
  • Amir is nominated for his years of dedicated litter picking, turning concern for his local environment into consistent action and inspiring others to take pride in keeping Harrow cleaner and better for everyone.
• Deeqa Afey
  • Deeqa is nominated for giving back to the community that supported her, volunteering as a Maths and English mentor and helping younger pupils grow in confidence, learning and aspiration.
• Jasmine Makaela Bryan
  • ​​​​​​​Jasmine is nominated for using her voice to champion young people, taking up opportunities with youth leadership, local politics and schools to encourage others and drive positive change.

Supporting Vulnerable People

• Friendship Cafe at Wealdstone Methodist Church
  • ​​​​​​​Friendship Café is nominated for offering a warm, welcoming weekly space where isolated residents can find company, conversation and practical support, including through its recognised role as a Warm Hub.
• Growing Stars Nursery
  • ​​​​​​​Growing Stars Nursery is nominated for its volunteer-led Winter Wonderland fundraising work, creating inclusive family events and raising vital funds for charities supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Jade Weir
  • ​​​​​​​Jade is nominated for her compassionate community work through Carib & Co, supporting vulnerable residents, organising wellbeing events, feeding those in need and creating spaces where people feel welcomed and uplifted.
• Jalaram Tiffin
  • ​​​​​​​Jalaram Tiffin is nominated for providing affordable and free meals to elderly, disabled and homeless residents, and for supporting local charities and community groups with food and practical care.
• Letters of Hope
  • ​​​​​​​Letters of Hope is nominated for supporting bereaved people and families with free care packages, offering comfort, kindness and reassurance at a time when many people feel most alone.

Contribution to the Community

• Alice Mulvenna
  • ​​​​​​​Alice is nominated for her long-standing service to Girlguiding, supporting Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and young leaders, and helping girls build confidence, skills and friendships across Harrow.
• Marian Humphryes
  • ​​​​​​​Marian is nominated for her tireless community volunteering, especially with Harrow Litter Pickers, organising regular clean-ups, improving local spaces and also supporting health walks and community wellbeing.
• North Harrow Community Library
  • North Harrow Community Library is nominated for providing a free, inclusive and welcoming space where residents of all ages can learn, connect, volunteer and build a stronger sense of community.
• Ruth Boff
  • ​​​​​​​Ruth is nominated for more than 21 years as Honorary Secretary of The Pinner Association, generously sharing her knowledge, helping residents and supporting local events with quiet dedication.

Bringing People Together

• Herga at the Castle
  • ​​​​​​​Herga at the Castle is nominated for its long-running folk and acoustic music evenings, creating a welcoming space where people can perform, listen, socialise and feel part of a supportive community.
• Krishna Pujara
  • ​​​​​​​Krishna is nominated for over 22 years of voluntary leadership, cultural and charitable work, bringing communities together through Gujarati organisations, women’s empowerment, education and wellbeing initiatives.
• Roxeth Rec Knitting and Planting Group
  • Roxeth Rec Knitting and Planting Group is nominated for creating a weekly, welcoming space where women and girls build friendships, reduce isolation and make Roxeth Recreation Ground more inclusive.
• Sima Vadgama
  • ​​​​​​​Sima is nominated for her many voluntary roles in education, culture and community media, using Gujarati teaching and Radio Harrow to connect people, celebrate diversity and give local groups a voice.

Extraordinary Achievement

• Jordy Xavier Black
  • ​​​​​​​Jordy is nominated for transforming 1454 Harrow Squadron RAF Air Cadets, growing it from eight to over one hundred cadets and inspiring young people through leadership, training and support.
• Tim Dalton
  • ​​​​​​​Tim is nominated for cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats to raise awareness of litter and funds for Harrow Litter Pickers, inspiring others through determination and community spirit.

Pride in Harrow

• Bridge Street Gardeners Volunteer Group
  • ​​​​​​​Bridge Street Gardeners Volunteer Group is nominated for transforming Bridge Street Gardens in Pinner from a neglected space into a welcoming community area, with planting, maintenance and pride driven by volunteers.
• Friends of Headstone Manor Park
  • ​​​​​​​Friends of Headstone Manor Park is nominated for improving and protecting a treasured green space through conservation, events, volunteering and inclusive activities that help residents connect with nature and each other.
• Friends of West Harrow Park
  • ​​​​​​​The Friends of West Harrow Park is nominated for more than a decade of work improving the park, securing facilities, organising community events and helping create lasting local pride.
• Lynn Scott
  • Lynn is nominated for many years of voluntary service, including as Chair of Chandos Park Community Group, helping care for the park and contributing to its Green Flag recognition.

Health and Wellbeing

• Belmont Walking Group
  • ​​​​​​​Belmont Walking Group is nominated for its free volunteer-led health walks, helping residents stay active, enjoy green spaces, build confidence and reduce isolation through regular friendly activity.
• Evolve Cycling Network
  • ​​​​​​​Evolve Cycling Network is nominated for making cycling accessible to women and young people, building confidence, skills and healthier lifestyles in a supportive environment despite limited local cycling facilities.
• Kevin Mahon
  • ​​​​​​​Kevin is nominated for his long-standing service to health and wellbeing, from volunteer driving and patient support to leading volunteers during COVID vaccination programmes and reducing loneliness in the community.
• Pinner Village Gardens Parkrun 
  • ​​​​​​​Pinner Village Gardens Parkrun Team are nominated for leading a weekly event that promotes physical and mental wellbeing for children, young people and families every Sunday morning.

Team

• Harrow African-Caribbean Association 
  • ​​​​​​​HACAS is nominated for celebrating and preserving African-Caribbean heritage in Harrow, bringing communities together through cultural events, oral history, Windrush projects and decades of community service.
• Pinner Rotary
  • ​​​​​​​Pinner Rotary is nominated for its growing volunteer team, major community events and fundraising, donating over £30,000 to charities while strengthening civic life in Pinner and beyond.
• Sai School of Harrow Volunteer Team
  • ​​​​​​​Sai School of Harrow Volunteer Team is nominated for 30 years of dedicated service, supporting pupils, parents, food bank collections and major community events locally, nationally and internationally.
• Wealdstone Baptist Church Toddler Group
  • ​​​​​​​WBC Toddler Group is nominated for running large weekly volunteer-led sessions that give children a safe place to play and parents and carers a welcoming, supportive community.

Good Neighbour

• Charlie Leonard 
  • ​​​​​​​Charlie Leonard and ELTRA are nominated for giving residents a stronger voice, helping address neighbourhood concerns promptly and building confidence in a safer, better-connected local community.
• Grange Farm Estate Steering Group
  • ​​​​​​​Grange Farm Estate Steering Group is nominated for volunteer work improving life on the estate, supporting regeneration, reporting local issues, organising community activity and representing residents’ voices.
• Paras and Kom
  • ​​​​​​​Paras and Kom are nominated for always looking out for their neighbours, organising street parties, supporting a safer neighbourhood and helping others without expecting anything in return.
• Peter Edwards
  • ​​​​​​​Peter is nominated for years of practical volunteering at Wealdstone Football Club and North Harrow Home Guard Club, maintaining spaces, checking on members and quietly keeping things running.

Lifetime Achievement

• Arthur S Leong
  • ​​​​​​​Arthur is nominated for over 20 years of voluntarily teaching Tai Chi in Roxeth Recreation Ground, sharing wellbeing, patience and encouragement with residents every day of the year.
• Sue Collen
  • ​​​​​​​Sue is nominated for a lifetime of service as an educator and community walking leader, founding Harrow Striders and helping residents improve health, confidence and connection through free walks.
• Nina Rajarani MBE
  • ​​​​​​​Nina is nominated for over 35 years transforming Harrow through classical Indian dance and music, founding SRISHTI and giving generations cultural pride, confidence, creativity and belonging.
• Steven Smith
  • ​​​​​​​Steven is nominated for over 40 years with St John Ambulance, building partnerships, training volunteers, promoting CPR and defibrillator awareness, and helping make Harrow safer and more resilient.