The very best of our borough was celebrated last night at the 2014 Croydon Champions awards.
The Croydon Guardian's 13th annual awards ceremony honoured the courageous, the committed and the selfess at the Hilton Croydon hotel in Waddon.
Shortlisted nominees, family and friends were joined by some of the borough's dignitaries in an audience of around 120 people.
They were greeted on arrival by music from the Royal Russell School Orchestra and also enjoyed a performance by the Trinity School Boys Choir.
Generous guests raised £234 for this year's supported charity, Skye Alexandra House, which provides a safe haven for girls caught up in gang violence.
Sherica Spence, the charity's founder, paid tribute to the borough, as did the Mayor of Croydon Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, and Croydon Guardian editor Nick Hitchens, who hosted the awards.
Mr Hitchens said: "Everyone invited this evening has contributed to making this borough a fantastic place to live, work, and be a part of.
"I would like to congratulate everyone here tonight, but more importantly thank you for the great work you have been carrying out for years, and will no doubt continue to do for many years to come."
Croydon Champions 2014 winners:
Act of Bravery
Winner: Russell Easterbrook
Highly Commended: Kevin Kararwa
Commended: Police Response Team D
Arts and Entertainment Champion
Winner: Fiona Lipscombe
Highly Commended: SLIDE
Commended: Hale Man
Business Champion
Winner: Mum's the Chef
Highly Commended: Tina Mevlit
Commended: TPS Schal
Charity Volunteer
Winner: Ted Williams
Highly Commended: Jean Shaw
Commended: Moise Bailey
Child of Courage
Winner: William Milne
Highly Commended: Emma Doenges
Commended: Isha Khan
Community Champion
Winner: Fatima Koroma
Highly Commended: Fred Wallis
Commended: Shasha Khan
Parent of the Year
Winner: Althea Smith
Highly Commended: Catherine Roberts
Commended: Stella Nicolaou
Sporting Champion
Winner: Chunilal Jobanputra
Highly Commended: Marlan Anthony
Commended: Brandon Vencatachellum
Teacher of the Year
Winner: David Clark
Highly Commended: Michael Bloss
Commended: Charles Wallendahl
Team of the Year
Winner: Timebridge Energetic and Wise Project
Highly Commended: Young London Today
Commended: Upper Norwood Library Trust
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