The heroes, who carried struggling individuals and communities through the pandemic, have been honoured.

Their work ranged from helping the lonely and isolated to supporting children, putting food on the table and protecting the environment.

More than 100 inspirational individuals and organisations received the honour of being nominated in the Richmond upon Thames Community Heroes Award.

And now the winners across 10 categories have been announced and celebrated by Council leaders.

Awards aim to highlight those working and living in Richmond upon Thames who go above and beyond to make their communities a better place in which to live, work, and learn.

Cllr Michael Wilson, spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector, congratulated all the nominees and winners, saying: "I was inspired by the amazing work being done by so many residents."

All the nominees made a huge difference to lives during 2021. This year's winners are:

Business contribution in the community

Meet & Deep Newsagents - for acting as a local hub for those who may be isolated, in need or simply looking for a friendly chat, particularly at Christmas.

Community Project of the Year

Food for Thought Heathfield - for distributing surplus food from local supermarkets, bakeries and other businesses back into the community every week.

Outstanding Volunteer

Andrew White and Vincent Seabrook - for their extensive work as peer mentors at SPEAR, including leading the sorting

and dating of food donations, preparing parcels, and participating in night-time outreach patrols to help rough sleepers.

Environmental Award

Jenine Langrish - for her work with local environment causes like the Making Air Safe and Clean Coalition, development of the Richmond Green Guide and Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth.

Community Group of the Year

Linden Hall Community Centre - for partnering with organisations and volunteers to improve lives, from reducing isolation to supporting parents and carers.

Helping Hands

Su Harper-Clarke - for bringing together local mothers during periods of lockdown, when many were struggling with pressures of home schooling and loneliness, through the Teddington Immunity Boost Walks.

Trustee of the Year

Andrea Samuelson - for her work leading the Board of Trustees at local charity Small Steps and demonstrating fierce commitment to supporting pre-school children with disabilities, their parents and extended networks.

Young Person Achievement

Lydia Roebuck - for her campaign work with the Richmond and Kingston Youth Council, ensuring young people have their voices heard in the borough.

Communities Together

Crossroads Care Richmond & Kingston, for providing practical, mental and emotional support to hundreds of unpaid carers in our communities.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Alison and Kevin Sears, for over 20 years of work with organisations like the Richmond branch of the National Autistic Society and the Richmond Parent Carer Forum. Improving the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities.

This year, the organisers made the decision to create an extra award for an outstanding contribution to Community Spirit.

It was awarded posthumously to Malcolm Singleton, of M&J Hardware in Ham. Malcolm was pillar of the local community, offering help and advice while taking special care to provide every imaginable essential to locals and even making special deliveries to the vulnerable.

All the winners and nominees were invited to an awards ceremony at the Council's York House headquarters.