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| Salute to the exceptional people
who live next door |
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John Oke, winner for his Outstanding Contribution to Camden
is flanked by (from left) Caraf director Anne-Marie Morris-Daley,
committee member Yvette Tyrell, and daughter Alicya Oke
Winner of the Safer Communities award Meric Apak, centre,
with Camden housing officer Ian Walker (left) and Councillor
Gerry Harrison
The winners: (from left) Bringing Communities Together winner
Mahendra Patel, Caring for Another winner Phyllis Hillel,
winner for Improving the Environment Olive Delves –
collected by her nephew Simon Freakes– presenter Diane
Louise-Jordan, Camden Mayor Barbara Hughes, Making the Community
Safer winner Meric Apak, Young Camden winner Amir Deng,
Outstanding Contribution to Camden winner John Oke, Leader
of the council Raj Chada
Anita Broome, left, who received a special commendation
for her work in Highgate Newtown, with councillor Maggie
Cosin. Ms Broome has served on the tenants’ association,
helped set up a playground and organised day trips. She
said: “I love the area. It’s a great place to
live and work in.”
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MOST people admit they could probably do a little bit more to
improve life for themselves and their neighbours.
But for some, selfless acts come naturally. The Exceptional People
in Camden awards – better known as the Epics – were established
to recognise just those people and to give everyone a chance to
nominate a local hero.
A panel of judges, including councillors and New Journal news editor
Dan Carrier, whittled down more than 70 nominations to a shortlist
of 22.
Last Wednesday, the finalists – all winners in the eyes of
the judges – were rewarded with a three-course dinner and live
music from the innovative Sting Fever quartet at the awards presentation
at Congress House in Bloomsbury.
Award for a relentless worker
FOR John Oke, his Epic award represents recognition not just for
him but also for the colleagues in the many projects he has been
involved with.
Mr Oke, who received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Camden,
has dedicated 28 hours a week to helping Camden Black Parents and
Teachers Association, Camden Community Law Centre, Camden Black
and Minority Ethnic Alliance and CarAf, an organisation dedicated
to raising the academic achievements of Caribbean and African children.
Presenting Mr Oke with the award, Camden Council leader Councillor
Raj Chadha said: “John has been relentless in his support and
has a great ability to bring people together.
“That’s for the good of the community. That’s what
Camden’s about.”
Mr Oke, who lives in Kentish Town, said: “Winning an award
is not for me alone. I have to think about the people I work with.
“CarAf is my home. It was set up about 25 years ago.
“I wasn’t the only one who set it up but it’s true
I have been persistent in keeping the organisation going
“I think it’s nice when your work has been recognised.”
Gracious helper
When Phyllis Hillel found she was nominated for the Caring for Another
award she wasn’t all that pleased.
She thought the persistent phone calls and letters were one of those
scams that try to con you into a time-share. It took a phone call
to Fleet Primary School in Gospel Oak, where Mrs Hillel, 90, has
been a volunteer helping with reading for 25 years, to convince
her she had won. Mrs Hillel, of Lissenden Gardens, Gospel Oak, said:
“It’s wonderful to be recognised.”
Fleet School headteacher Patricia Hollister said: “The children
benefit so much from their relationship with this gracious and modest
woman from another generation and age.”
Great role model
Amir Deng is the kind of inspiring person everyone would like to
have as a school chum.
“My ambition is to make a difference,” she said after
picking up her Young Camden award.
Ms Deng, 17, is a peer monitor at Maria Fidelis RC Convent School
in Somers Town. She acts as the voice of young people on youth advisory
boards and at youth conferences.
Sudanese-born Ms Deng, who lives in Castlehaven Road, Camden Town,
writes poetry and performs rap. She said: “Everyone knocks
Camden Lock but I think it’s beautiful. When I want some peace
and quiet that’s where I go.”
Youth co-ordinator Tony Dallas, who nominated her for the award,
said: “She is an excellent motivational speaker and enthuses
everyone she meets. She is a fantastic role model for young people.”
Estate’s crimefighting champ
MERIC Apak, winner of the Making the Community Safer award, set
up Artisan Dwellings Tenants’ and Residents’ Association
in 2001.
Since then the block of flats in Kentish Town has seen a remarkable
reduction in crime.
His work has become a model for other residents’ associations.
He chairs Cantelowes ward’s Safer Neighbourhoods policing panel
and a borough-wide independent advisory group for policing, where
he works closely with police and helps them collect evidence.
Mr Apak defends Camden’s use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
(Asbos).
He said: “It’s important not to brand Camden the Asbo
capital of the country. I really think Camden uses Asbos as the
last resort – they do not misuse them.
“I have contributed to a lot of Asbos in my area. They have
really made a difference. It has changed the way of life in my estate.”
He said of his award: “It is great to be recognised. Maybe
it will encourage people to do a bit more.”
Labour councillor Gerry Harrison, who nominated him, said: “The
flats were steadily descending into a state of anarchy with all
forms of anti-social behaviour.”
Worthy winner
OLIVE Delves may not have been well enough to attend the Epic awards
presentation but she has succeeded in bringing colour and beauty
to Holborn’s Red Lion Estate.
She may be nearly 90 and partially sighted but Olive’s work
in transforming her estate has won her an Improving the Environment
award.
Collecting the award on her behalf, Olive’s nephew, Simon Freakes,
said: “She’s a worthy winner. She’s a little frail
and I think she’s wonderful.”
The pensioner doesn’t work alone. Her “adoring” Pekinese
Gigi follows her everywhere.
Her efforts are appreciated by neighbours, particularly Joan Richardson,
who nominated her. She said: “She’s an exceptional woman.”
Trading in trust
IT took winning an Epic to finally convince newsagent Mahendra Patel
to shut up shop early – an exceptional feat considering he
has worked seven days a week for the past 22 years.
With just a week off at Christmas to visit family, Mahendra, known
to everyone as Mash, has provided an invaluable service at his Gospel
Oak shop, Lismore News.
He has built up a relationship of trust with his customers, who
joined together behind his back to nominate him for the Bringing
Communities Together award.
The father-of-two, who fled to England from Uganda after dictator
Idi Amin seized power, also helps look after Lismore Circus community
wood, ensuring vandals and other troublemakers are reported to the
authorities. |
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