Brent Council has published its Pride of Brent list for 2020, those individuals and organisations that have gone 'above and beyond' in this the most difficult of years. Rather than the usual gala style celebration at the Civic Centre their contribution will be acknowledged this year through articles in the Brent Magazine and the council's social media channels.
Among the many deserving names there is one that strikes a jarring note. Chetan Harpale, the Labour candidate for the Alperton by-election is listed despite having been suspended at the time for alleged Islamophobic comments. LINK LINK
One of the most amazing events of the early days of the pandemic was the sponataneous rise of Mutual Aid groups across the borough who delivered food and other support to people who were self-isolating. Alongside them the borough's food banks stepped up their efforts and were augmented by other organisations and individuals. They are all still working selflessly as we enter Tier 4. Some are listed for Pride of Brent but many are not, so I am acknowledging their contribution here.
The Brent Council announcement:
This year has been a challenging time for us all, but during the uncertainty we have seen some amazing people step up to support their fellow residents.
We asked you to recognise the people you think have supported Brent’s communities through this difficult time and you did not disappoint with more than eighty nominations received.
Here are the people and organisations who have worked to make life a bit easier for others in 2020. They are the Pride of Brent.
Individuals –
Alice Ekwalia
Alina Nicoleta Balatchi Lupascu
Ava Brosnan
Ayan Abdi
Ben Shapiro
Chetan Harpale
Daksha Varsani and Paresh Jethwa
David and Sol Williams
Debbie Thomas, Christians Against Poverty - St. Gabriel's Cricklewood
Desi Dhaba
Doreen Gill
Dipesh Ahir
Dr Silvia Gerea
Emily Morris
Geraldine Darroux
Geraldine Reid assisted by Cathryn Walsh
Giles Deards
Giuseppe Caggese
Hema Mistry
Imam Abdullah Hassan Salloo
Ishrat Malik
Jacqueline Bunce-Linsell
Julia Straker
Kalyan Patel
Kelli Eboji
Kirti Soni
Louisa
Leroy Simpson
Maureen Anthony
Maxine Anderson
Muhammad Ata Ullah
Patricia Wharton
Rajeshri Sheth
Ramesh and staff
Renata and Peter
Seva Mitra Mandal
Sharon Aninakwa
Tariq Dar
The teachers at Lyon Park Primary school
Toni Trent
Vivekananda reddy Sadhu
Yvonne Wilson Equi Vision
Community Groups –
406 (Willesden) Squadron RAF Air Cadets
Ansar Youth Project
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Brahma Kumaris
Brent Thrive
Daniels den parent and toddler group
F.O.H Brent / Warren Reilly
Iraqi Welfare Association
Jason Roberts Foundation
Kensal Green Under Fives Group Community Nursery
Kingsbury Community Group
London Elite
Granville Community Kitchen / Leslie & Dee
Romanian Women in UK
Rumi's Cave
Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden
The Angels Academies
Wembley Central Mutual Aid group
Youth With A Mission Urban Key London
Private organisations and businesses –
Abigail Simon - The Yum Yum Food Company
Brent Library Customer Services
Cuore Italian Deli & coffee shop
eStudyit
Harrow Care Plus (Brent)
Housing Plus Qara Limited
Kilhan Construction Ltd
Kylu
Mahogany Carnival Arts
Meera Nursing Home
Mario’s Restaurant: Mr Mario Nunes
O' Farrell's Traditional Family Butcher
Red Lotus Events CIC
Sewa Security Group
Shara Grossman Pharmacy
The George/McDonagh's Bar/Manuel Elvis Pinto
The Larder
Wembley triangle massage
VoxBrain LTD
Newly established groups –
Harlesden Mutual Aid
Parent Anchor