Young Citizen Award

THE LONDON BOROUGH REDBRIDGE MAYOR’S COMMUNITY AWARDS

ROTARY INTERNATION IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND ILFORD RECORDER - YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2026

PRESENTED BY: MAYOR OF REDBRIDGE COUNCILLOR BEVERLEY BREWER & INTRODUCED BY PETER MCCAFFERTY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BARKINGSIDE AND REDBRIDGE & OLIVIA CARTER FROM THE ILFORD RECORDER

Winner – Jessica Ryan (17)

Jessica has helped to organise and lead Trinity Catholic High School’s first whole‑school Charity Week, coordinating daily events, fundraising activities and community involvement. She engaged local businesses and the Friends of Trinity to support Haven House, a Woodford based charity that supports children and families facing serious illness and loss. Jessica also organised a two‑week donation drive that collected over 650kg of food for Redbridge Foodbank, enough to make emergency food parcels for 59 local people. 

Joint Runners‑Up – Muhammad Sameer (9) & Hafsa Tehseen (10)

Sameer and Hafsa created and delivered the “Kids Teaching Kids: Origami Animals” programme at Lab Central (Redbridge Central Library) and Lab FX (Fullwell Cross Library), planning themes, preparing materials and supporting children between the ages of 8–10. Since February 2025, the brother and sister duo have run 12 workshops attended by 120 children which has allowed for participants to learn new skills, build confidence, and enjoy a creative space.

The other award winners were as follows:

Mohammad‑Abbas Ahadi (16)

Afshan Naweed Akram (15)

Vedanti Gohil (17)

Jamal Ahmad (18)

Mudassaar Nadeem (17)

Redbridge AFABs – Volunteer Sixth Formers

https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/25926919.young-citizen-awards-redbridge-2026---winners-nominees/