Some of Sutton’s unsung heroes were given a night of praise as the borough hosted its annual community awards ceremony.

More than 50 guests attended the event in The Garden Room, which has recently been renovated, at Russettings in Worcester Road.

There were 12 groups and individuals who were honoured for their contribution to Sutton as a record-number of nominations were submitted.

In between the winners being announced there were musical performances from Tom Thornton, Joe Carter, Charlie Zhang, and Gina Hazell of the Sutton Music Service.

All the photos in this article are credited to Alan Conteh

These are your 2018 Sutton Community Awards winners:

 
 

Young Outstanding Achievement

- Tanushree Nag (Overall Winner)

A regular fundraiser, she visited an Indian orphanage in January to help support and feed children after running a craft stall during the Christmas holidays.

She runs a Bollywood dance club at her school and hopes to teach others how to fundraise, too.

- Tom Thornton (Highly Commended)

He won the Sutton Music Service Young Musician of the Year award in March and won places in the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain and National Youth Orchestra of Britain, performing on BBC Proms.

Tom has won a spot in the junior department of the Royal College of Music and a prestigious scholarship to study at the Guildhall School of Music Drama.

 
 

Improving Lives with Community Spirit

- Claudio Funari (Overall Winner)

The Brazilian artist has spent two years transforming an overgrown and unattended plot of land in Nightingale Road, Hackbridge, into an admirable place of beauty.

His work is popular among the community and he has become a well-known figure in Hackbridge for his projects since moving to be closer to his son from his native Brazil.

- Cllr Nali Patel (Highly Commended)

The Sutton councillor, of The Wrythe ward, has been a volunteer English teacher for ESOL students (English as a Second Language) and has helped run local clubs in Sangam and Euro Asia.

She has used her own experiences to champion disability causes, such as working with bus service operators to highlight problems travelling on public transport with a scooter.

 
 

Outstanding Achievement Award

- Robert Watson (Overall Winner)

Founder of Croygas Pirates football club six years ago for children aged four to 16 with mixed disabilities, he also runs an annual Christmas toy appeal.

So far, more than 8,000 children have received presents on Christmas Day - including those who are at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Shooting Star Chase hospice.

He was honoured as a Sutton business champion in June this year.

- Maggie Hughes (Highly Commended)

She has tirelessly fought in improving EU legislation in supporting British nationalist when they are victims of serious attacks abroad.

It came after her son Robert, who was a promising professional footballer, was assaulted while on holiday in Greece 10 years ago - leaving him with serious, life-changing injuries.

Now she continues to fight the same cause in highlighting problems which may arise for UK citizens when they're victims of violence overseas.

 
 

Keeping Sutton Safe Award

- Sutton Street Pastors (Overall Winner)

This is a team of volunteers who work in Sutton late at night as a way of keeping people out of harm's way.

They go out on the streets at night, often between 9am and 3pm, to help ensure people get home safely - usually those who are heavily intoxicated - but also protect the homeless.

- Linda Finn (Highly Commended)

She has worked to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence, volunteering for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) with an emphasis on addressing children's needs.

Other work includes chairing Sutton Women's Aid groups and co-facilitating Caring Dads groups to help abusive men recognise and address their own behaviours - both on their victims and children.

 
 

Outstanding Volunteer Group Award

- Sutton Night Watch (Overall Winner)

The charity was founded in a bid to raise awareness for the homeless in Sutton and surrounding areas. They run a soup kitchen and food bank, providing vital services for those in need.

In addition, Sutton Night Watch provides opportunities for young people to work towards a worthy cause and help those in their own communities.

- Sutton Sea Cadets (Highly Commended)

This is a group of volunteers who try and make a difference in young people's lives by being deeply embedded within the community.

Efforts can include things like shopping for the less able, while devoting their time to developing new skills in a safe environment.

 
 

Outstanding Volunteer Award

- Lauren Mumford (Overall Winner)

She runs the charity 'One Step at a Time' for children with disabilities and their families in Sutton - organising days out, coffee mornings, play days, bingo and quiz nights, and more.

This goes towards raising money to support children to have treats and fun without fear of judgment.

- Rachael Philips (Highly Commended)

Co-chair of the National Autistic Society Sutton branch, her team supports parents, young people and children.

Activities include Lego club, yoga sessions, and talks for parents.

This year an autistic adults support group has been founded while Sutton NAS expands its networks to help reach more people.