2007 Peace Awards

The London Peace Awards are annual awards given to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations to promote peace in London. The public are encouraged to nominate their peace champions within their communities. The winners of each of the eleven categories are shown below. CORPORATE PEACE AWARD Sponsored by: Home Office and presented by The Rt. Hon. Vernon Coker. Winner: Outreach Taekwondo Consultancy The Consultancy set out to achieve change in the young people they worked with, contributing to the reduction of offending and victimising. They provide training to the young people and liaise with families and schools. The organization came third in the London Taekwondo Academy with 4 gold medals.
LONDONERS PEACE AWARD (The Mayors Award) Sponsored by:The GLA and presented by Ron Belgrave, Community Safety Manager Winner:Keib Thomas The Award was presented to Sergeant Keib Thomas who unfortunately passed away in July 2007. He was an extraordinarily inspirational man who worked with community, voluntary and faith groups in Southwark for 27 years. He was a key influencer in the setting up of the five borough gang project.
DIVERSITY PEACE AWARD Sponsored by Northgate Communication Systems and presented by David Meadon, Managing Director Winner:Gladesmore Student Council Award winners worked hard to promote antigun crime and knife violence messages into the local community. A large rally was planned at the school which was highly pertinent this year with the unfortunate murder of Annaka Pinto.
TURN AROUND PEACE AWARD Sponsored by:London Probation and presented by Geraldine Galvin, Chief Operations Officer Winner:Darrel James Darrel had been a member of a gang in Hackney and spent some time in prison before making a decision to change his ways. He took the initiative to approach the Hackney SNT and has been involved with a broad range of diversionary projects both locally and nationally. He works tirelessly to divert, educate and inspire over 2000 young people who were at risk from a criminal lifestyle. After winning the Turn Around Peace Award, Darrel James was awarded an award from the Thierry Henry Foundation to also continue his work.
PARENTS PEACE AWARD Sponsored by: Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) and presented by Pastor Dipo Oluyemi, CEO Winner:Reverend Nancy Odunewu After the fatal stabbing of her son, Rev Odunewu has supported and worked with a number of initiatives to support young people and deter them from becoming involved in crime and anti social behaviour . Her passion and love for young people has helped to lead and direct several initiatives in the community.
BRAVERY AWARD Sponsored by:Metropolitan Peace Authority and presented by Cindy Butts Winner:Cornwallis Adventure Playground and Youth Project Following the complex and sensitive murder of Martin Dinnegan who was a member and regular user of the centre, the award winners intervened in a situation which potentially would have resulted in a fatal attack on another young person. They showed bravery and exceptional courage in both dealing with the physical and emotional issues and worked with young people helping them cope with grief. Special mention is made of Sunday Joseph and Guy Lawrence for the significant roles they played.
PEACEMAKER AWARD Sponsored by Premier Christian Radio and presented by Cindy Kent Winner:Lynne Booker Lynne Booker has shown exemplary service to families as a campaigner who has dedicated herself to helping other parents who have lost children to violence and continues to campaign about the dangers of knives. She runs a confidential 24-7 helpline which she staffs herself.
MAKING THE PEACE AWARD Sponsored by:The Youth Justice Board and presented by Ellie Roy, Chief Executive Winner:Southwark Mediation Centre – Youth Mediators The Award winners actively work towards reducing violence, developing positive communication whilst being positive examples of young Londoners making a difference. They are proud to be mediators and have brought street credibility to being peace makers in the community. It is inspiring to have these cross cultural individuals particularly in an area of adverse activity.
YOUNG PERSONS PEACE AWARD Sponsored by:Safer Haringey and presented by Councillor Nilgun Canver Winner:Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed has constantly fought against the negative perception surrounding young Somalians within his community and set up a Somali girls’ football team, Somali talents and culture day and a strong youth forum with links to local police.
VOLUNTEER AWARD Sponsored by:Barclays Plc and presented by Danny Readon, Head of Community Relations Winner:Assan Ali Assan Ali was one of the founders of the Mile End Community Project which provides social, educational and recreational activities for young people in the Mile End area. His voluntary work has led to the setting up of sustainable activities and has helped to turn potential offenders away from crime and divert their energy into more positive things.
COMMUNITY SAFETY PEACE AWARD (The Commissioners Award) Sponsored by: the Metropolitan Police Service and presented by Commander Shaun Sawyer, Violent Crime Directorate Winner:Reverend Les Issacs Reverend Les Isaacs, founder of the Ascension Trust which developed the Street Pastors Initiative which works across 22 London boroughs and has been recognised as playing a vital role in protecting young people and reducing harm to people at night.