Pride in our People

A spectacular award ceremony proclaimed the winners of the second annual EC1 Pride in our People Awards on Wednesday 21 May.

Set within the magnificent LSO St Luke's on Old Street, the gala evening was hosted by BBC News presenter and Islington resident, Kate Silverton.

Matthew Humphreys, Chair EC1 New Deal for Communities Board said:

"I felt so honoured to spend the evening with such remarkable people - not just the winners, but all of the finalists. They do what they do without want of recognition and that's what the EC1 Pride in our People Awards are all about - saying thank you to those unsung heroes who understand the true meaning of community spirit."

LSO St Luke’s was bursting with pride for local heroes such as Michael Potten (EC1 Young Person of the Year 2008) who volunteers at a range of youth forums and projects across Islington and Meleisha Lovemore (EC1 Carer of the Year 2008) who cares for her own children and (following the death of her best friend and her mum) her best friend’s son and her own teenage younger brothers.

George Hussein, proprietor of King’s Bakery and Fish Central restaurant won the EC1 Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the EC1 Local Business of the Year Award. He is the life and soul of EC1’s King Square, where he has run his business for 40 years.

All the finalists, their guests and the people who nominated them enjoyed a sumptuous evening with a gourmet three-course meal and entertainments from talented local singers, musicians and dancers.

The evening marked the pinnacle of the three-month award process which saw more than 100 nominations across eight categories.

Winners of the EC1 Pride in Our People Awards 2008

Islington Council EC1 Young Person of the Year Award:
Michael Potten

Islington Chamber of Commerce EC1 Local Business of the Year Award:
George Hussein, Kings Bakery & Fish Central

Islington Primary Care Trust EC1 Carer of the Year Award:
Meleisha Lovemore

Islington Police EC1 Good Neighbour of the Year Award:
Blanche Woodbridge

Islington Volunteer Centre EC1 Volunteer of the Year Award:
Mohin Choudhury

Renaisi EC1 Team of the Year Award:
EC1 Youth Under-12s Football team

Cambridge Education @Islington Teacher of the Year Award:
Ann Dwulit

Islington Gazette Jack Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award:
George Hussein

The awards were organised and funded by EC1 New Deal for Communities.

Islington Council, Islington Chamber of Commerce, Islington Primary Care Trust, Islington Police, Islington Volunteer Centre, Cambridge Education @Islington, Islington Gazette and regeneration company Renaisi all sponsored individual categories. Waitrose Barbican was an additional sponsor.

The closing date for nominations was Monday 31 March 2008. The finalists in each category were chosen by three separate judging panels. A new panel of judges met to decide the winners on 6 May.

If you have any questions regarding the EC1 Pride in Our People Awards, please contact 020 3142 5045 or email info@ec1newdeal.com