RESIDENTS and groups who have made a major impact improving life in Waltham Forest have been honoured at the annual Love Your Borough awards.

The ceremony was hosted by former hurdler and sprinter Kriss Akabusi at Walthamstow Assembly Hall in Forest Road on Friday (April 8).

Among the winners were fire-fighter Steve Drew and special constable John Ayers, who both jointly scooped the community hero accolade.

Mr Ayers was praised by judges for putting in around 900 hours of his free time volunteering in the police role last year, while Mr Drew was honoured for his work rehabilitating children who have been caught carrying out acts of arson.

The gong for best residents’ association was given to the Bushwood Area group in Leytonstone, which was singled out for its organisation of regular litter picks and other events for all ages.

The most environmentally-friendly school award went to Walthamstow School for Girls, which was honoured for its focus on recycling and also its campaign to help fund the building of a new school in Pakistan.

Other winners included the Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre in the arts category and Sarah Humphreys, who was given the volunteer of the year.

She was honoured her work as founder of the East London Out Project, which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents.

There were also honours for council staff, such as Paul Tickner, who was praised for his work helping to prevent an illegal rave at the former EMD cinema in Walthamstow earlier this year.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins praised all those who took part.

He said: “We have a borough and a population we are enormously proud of and these awards are an opportunity for us to say thank you to the people who really make a difference through their selfless actions.”

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