From lifelong volunteers to young fundraisers: Richmond celebrates this year’s Community Heroes

From young children raising thousands for charity, to volunteers supporting displaced families, to decades long commitments to protecting nature and providing essential advice services – some of Richmond upon Thames’ most inspiring grassroots initiatives were celebrated last night at the latest Community Heroes Awards

Hosted by Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Richmond Council’s Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector, the annual awards spotlight the individuals, organisations and businesses whose dedication strengthens the borough and changes lives.

Councillor Baldwin praised the finalists and winners for their unwavering commitment to their communities: “It’s amazing to see so much good work happening across our community.

“Events like this remind us that what people do truly matters. Every act of kindness, every hour volunteered and every effort to help others helps make Richmond upon Thames a stronger and more caring place.”

Now in its eighth year, the awards recognise and celebrate individuals, groups and businesses whose contributions strengthen community life. 

With nominations representing every corner of the borough, this year’s awards at Duke Street Church in Richmond, showcased powerful stories of compassion, leadership and sustained local action. 

This year’s Community Heroes Award winners:

• Young Person Achievement Award: Vidhi Saurav – for extraordinary fundraising efforts, raising more than £6,000 and inspiring others to support sick children through book, toy and hospital donations – at just eight years old.
• Outstanding Volunteer: Tasha Sorhaindo – for exceptional compassion and impact in founding Chronically Marvellous, providing free counselling, practical aid and inclusive support programmes for people with long-term health conditions – all while facing severe health challenges herself.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Brady – for more than 20 years of dedicated volunteering with Citizens Advice Richmond, where his compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment have transformed the lives of countless residents and strengthened the charity at every level.
• Community Group of the Year: Homelink – for delivering compassionate, personalised day respite for older people with dementia, while offering crucial relief, connection and wellbeing support for their carers.
• Community Project of the Year: Relationship Support Project, United Response – for creating an innovative, volunteer run programme that helps adults with learning disabilities understand healthy relationships, build confidence and navigate social situations safely.
• Community Spirit Award: Alina Luts – for outstanding voluntary leadership supporting displaced Ukrainians through community programmes that reduce isolation, build cultural connection and provide vital emotional support across the borough.
• Environmental Award: Grey Court 6th Form Ham Lands Volunteers – for ongoing, youth led conservation work restoring and protecting Ham Lands’ biodiversity, including efforts that have helped rare species return to the area.
• Business Contribution in the Community: The Cabbage Patch – for providing free space, ongoing support and exceptional community hospitality that enables multiple local groups to run essential activities for residents.
• Trustee of the Year: David Cope – for founding Fair Start and devoting his retirement to creating and revitalising primary school libraries, widening children’s access to books, opportunity and educational confidence.

This year’s awards also included In Memoriam recognition for three much loved community figures who sadly passed away this year, but whose impact continues to shape Richmond. The Council honoured Chris Manning, whose leadership helped establish Sheddington as a much-loved community hub; Andy Sutch, whose lifelong commitment to local sport and service as Chair of Sport Richmond strengthened clubs across the borough; and Stuart Sandys, a cherished Twickenham businessman whose generosity and community spirit made Sandys Fishmongers a local institution. 

Richmond Council Leader, Councillor Gareth Roberts added: “Our Community Heroes don’t seek recognition, but our borough is better because of them. Their contributions – big and small – strengthen the fabric of our community every day. These awards are our chance to say thank you.”

The Richmond Community Heroes Awards celebrate the people, groups, and organisations whose kindness, leadership and dedication make the borough a more connected and compassionate place to live.

Read more about this year's winners and nominees.