Community volunteers win 2019 Civic Awards

The winners received certificates and plaques with invited guests including Mayor John Biggs, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Unmesh Desai AM and Honorary Freeman of the Borough, Commander John Ludgate.

Councillor Ayas Miah, Speaker of the Council said: “It was an honour to meet so many great servants of our community.
“It is a small token of appreciation for the tireless work of so many volunteers to support local groups and charities to improve the lives of people in Tower Hamlets.”

Awards were presented for:

Outstanding service to the community, Sporting, cultural and artistic achievement

Success in business and community involvement, Young achievers under 25 years old.

Outstanding service to the community award winners

Rebecca Branch was nominated for her work with the Door of Hope charity helping more than 100 women out of street prostitution.

Junyied Sundor has dedicated years of service to the Tarling Tenants and Residents Association as well as helping to secure funding for a community centre in Martha Street in Shadwell.

Margaret Cox has served the community for more than 30 years, including work with residents groups in Bethnal Green to preserve green spaces, enhancing play areas and helping the community centre become a thriving place for residents. She also works with local schools on environmental projects and organises festive hampers for vulnerable residents and an over-50s group to combat isolation.

Tobaris Ali was recognised for years of activism and founding Apasen International, a charity that provides social care to vulnerable people as well as voluntary work with the London Muslim Centre and East London Mosque Trust.

Shebul Khan has served Lansbury on the tenants association and campaigned for more than 20 years to support disabled residents, the British Bangladeshi Theatre and many interfaith events.

Tom Madden was rewarded for more than 30 years of service to residents. He helped establish the Westferry Residents Association in 1982, sat on the police consultative committee and the Eastend Homes board.

Mike Tyler has served as a governor at Osmani Primary School in Whitechapel for more than 20 years.

Business and community involvement award winner

Sheikh Aliur Rahman, founder of the London Tea Exchange in Brick Lane, received the business award after receiving 24 royal commissions and numerous awards. He has raised more than £4.8 million for charity and supports local groups, particularly those helping young people from deprived backgrounds.

Sporting artistic and cultural achievement award winners

Khayrul Alam received recognition for his voluntary work as a trustee of Sporting Foundation and a chair of Shadwell Football Club for almost 25 years.

Sunahar Ali is a five-time European champion of carom, the popular south Asian cue sport, similar to billiards.

Young achiever award winner

Nahimul Islam, the 2018/19 Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets won the young achiever award for his service as a director of Wapping Youth FC, launching a girls team, improving coaching and growing the membership of the club.