Brave Peterborough youngsters and community champions honoured at awards

The Mayor’s Civic Awards were held at the Town Hall this week, honouring residents who had made a positive difference to Peterborough. The winners ranged from teenagers who had gone to the aid of a pensioner who was being robbed in a violent attack, to staff at a community coffee shop. In total, there were 39 winners, from all walks of life, who were honoured.

Teenagers Mustafa Karim and Shaan Mahmood were just 13 years-old when they dashed to the aid of the pensioner who was being robbed in Padholme Road in 2018. They fought off the woman’s attacker, before giving a description of the attacker after he ran away, helping bring him to justice. Marcus Horrell was honoured for his tireless and invaluable work as a member of the fundraising team in the Rotary Club. He was involved with, among other events, the Firework Fiesta for over 40 years, making it the huge success it has become and raising over £600,000 for local charities such as Friends of Peterborough Hospital, Sue Ryder and The Soup Kitchen. The team at Chimes Coffee Shop were presented with a community award for their work helping to tackle loneliness and isolation in the Hampton area. Sheetal Sajan was honoured for her incredible charity fund raising work. In 2018, she donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust so that wigs could be made for children with cancer and has also undertaken a 70km trek to Machu Picu in Peru to raise funds to enable sick children in Uganda to get better medical support. Jackie McKenzie and Shazad Ali were both given an award for bravery after running to the aid a man who was engulfed in flames on the street in 2018. Sadly, the man died from his injuries, but both Mrs McKenzie and Mr Ali did their best to save the man. Jason Merrill was given an award in recognition of his dedicated voluntary work with Bretton Parish Council over many years, alongside his work with charities such as Shine and Family Voice. His campaigning has raised public awareness of people with disabilities and how they should be treated fairly and what they can achieve despite their disability. Holli Posnett’s amazing efforts to mark the 20th anniversary of her mother’s passing by raising more than £11,624 for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice was recognised with a community award. Sporting achievements were also celebrated at the awards night. Sajid Majid was presented with an award after he became the first person of Pakistani heritage to achieve a black belt in Peterborough. He has represented Great Britain in Tang Soo Do, winning medals at the European Championships. Four residents were given life time achievement awards. Carol Toppin was given the prestigious honour for her work as a netball coach, which has had a big impact on both the spirt in the city, but also at county and regional level. The late Douglas Henderson was honoured for his work over many years to help Wothorpe parishioners. His work in the significant development of the parish whilst been mindful of the need to protect and maintain the heritage assets, alongside that as president of the Stamford Rotary Club was recognised by the panel. His widow Jane was on hand to pick up the certificate in Douglas’ memory Lillian Muxlow was presented with the lifetime award for her years of volunteer work in Eye, including with Guides and Brownies groups, and with the Duke of Edinburgh Award. She is also a member of the Eye Village Community Group and takes the time to organise the annual fund-raising family fun day held each July. Dave Ellis was given the lifetime award for his work volunteering, having supported hundreds of airmen and air cadets over the years. He is a volunteer for a number of voluntary services and continues to demonstrate his unconditional commitment and loyalty to the community and organisations within Peterborough. Sydney Smith’s continuous and continuing support over some 40 years as a member of Helpston Parish Council both in the capacity of chair and clerk meant he was the fourth person to be given the lifetime award. His ability to communicate in a clear and incisive manner has brought him the respect of parishioners and his knowledge provides a supportive backbone to the council, ensuring that documents containing relevant information are presented to enable them to make vital decisions. The full list of winners: Abdul Aziz, Alastair Kingsley, Jackie McKenzie, Shazad Ali, Catherine Lee, the team at Chimes Coffee Shop, Family Voice, Jason Merrill, John Hodder, John Sharman, Johnny Richardson, Juliette Welch, Marcus Horrell, Neil Boyce, Nicki Sanders, Paul Logan, Richard Astle, Terri Rowcliffe, Holli Posnett, James Hayes, Matthew Coates, Mohammed Yousaf, Dennis Stanley, Ghulam Sarwar, Val Mitton, Kate Hall, Peter Cox, Sheilah Bringeman, Sajid Majid, Peter Forest, Mustafa Karim, Shaan Mahmood, Nevaeh Chambers, Carol Toppin, The late Douglas Henderson, Lillian Muxlow, David Ellis and Sydney Smith.