The Speaker of Hackney praised local schoolchildren and community leaders who have been marked out for special recognition.

Stoke Newington Town Hall was the venue for the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards on November 1. The Awards Scheme funds projects in schools across London and Essex with the aim of enabling young people to achieve their potential and contribute to society.

Each of the 80 Award winners received a certificate, a medal and £200 to spend on a school or community project of their choice. The Scheme also allows each school to recognise one Leader Award winner every year – an adult who has made a significant contribution to the school or community. This year 10 Leader Awards were given out in Hackney.

Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Susan Fajana Thomas said: “A sense of community is one of Hackney’s main strengths and I am very proud of the schoolchildren and community leaders that have devoted their time and energy to help make their communities even stronger. Congratulations to everyone that received an award.”

For more information on the Speaker, her charities and how to invite her to an event, telephone: 020 8356 3350 or email: speaker@hackney.gov.uk.

Photo caption: The Speaker of Hackney at the Awards event