Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Mary O'Connor hosted a reception for winners of the borough's Local Heroes 2011 competition. She is pictured with Bernard Roberts, winner of the Fabulous Fundraiser category. (Photo courtesy of Uxbridge Gazette & Leader Series.)Hillingdon’s Mayor Councillor Mary O’Connor hosted a celebration of the achievements of the borough’s Local Heroes 2011 at a reception. The Local Heroes
Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Mary O'Connor hosted a reception for winners of the borough's Local Heroes 2011 competition. She is pictured with Bernard Roberts, winner of the Fabulous Fundraiser category. (Photo courtesy of Uxbridge Gazette & Leader Series.)Hillingdon’s Mayor Councillor Mary O’Connor hosted a celebration of the achievements of the borough’s Local Heroes 2011 at a reception. The Local Heroes competition recognised those who defied adversity or went beyond the call of duty for others.
Councillor O’Connor had been on the judging panel for the awards, run by Uxbridge College and the Uxbridge Gazette & Leader Series, but had been unable to attend the gala ceremony at the College’s Hayes Community Campus due to a full Council meeting.
Instead she hosted an evening reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for the category winners, putting on a buffet and celebration drinks.
Councillor O’Connor said: “These people have done some really amazing things for those close to them, for strangers and for the community as a whole, and it was a privilege to meet them. The Local Heroes competition is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and reward their achievements and I was delighted to be part of it.”
The overall winner – the Hero of Hillingdon - was Kane Thomas, age 10, a pupil at Botwell House Roman Catholic School in Hayes who was recognised for taking care of his mum, Roma, after she suffered Bell’s palsy, a type of stroke.
He got himself ready for school every day, brought her breakfast in bed and made his own packed lunch. He also continued to achieve at school and excelled in sporting activities, including being made captain of his school swimming team.
There were five categories in the annual competition – Star Carer, Fabulous Fundraiser, Community Champion, Courageous Citizen and Outstanding Young Person. The overall Hero of Hillingdon title was handed to the category winner the judges felt to be most deserving.