Three selfless people who gave their time to help others in Watford and a chaplaincy team have been nominated as Watford’s heroes.

Residents are being encouraged to vote in the Mayor’s Public Choice Award category for the Audentior Awards ceremony, which is taking place next month (March 4), that will reward people for their dedication to the town.

Saud Hafiz, who set up West Herts Amateur Boxing Club during the national lockdown, is among those listed for the award.

The club was set up to help tackle knife crime and inspire young people in Watford to turn their lives around.

Watford Observer:

WATCH NOMINATION VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/673693985

Sian Darvill, who has dedicated herself to several Watford organisations including the chair of the PTA at St Johns CofE School and her involvement in the Golden Memories dementia project at Watford FC, has also been nominated.

Watford Observer:

WATCH NOMINATION VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/673624640

And Annalisa Molteni, who has been getting up at 5am every Friday to prepare hot meals for the Meriden community and help the homeless, is also named.

Her work also includes supporting local charities such as Gokula Café, Meriden Foodbank and Stanborough Park, hence her nomination.

Watford Observer:

WATCH NOMINATION VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/673622467

The West Herts NHS Chapliancy team, who offer their time to accompany deceased patients and all those who lost their lives due to Covid and in January this year alone accompanied 350 deceased patients, is also a contender.

Watford Observer:

WATCH NOMINATION VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/673623534

Watford Borough Council says the attribute all nominees share is the quality of their commitment, dedication, energy and effort in their particular field.

The poll to vote for your favourite local hero closes midday on February 23. To vote, visit: www.audentiorawards. co.uk/mayors-award

How about the other categories?

Alongside the community vote, there are eight other categories for the awards this year, these include:

Carer of the Year

  • Michelle Mottram - Care Assistant at Amberside Care Home
  • Gary O’Brien – helps young adults with learning and physical disabilities
  • Peace Hospice Care

Chairman’s Culture Award

  • The Dan Tien - dance, performing arts and music classes for young people
  • Alex Williams – founder of Watford Dial Up
  • Amma Gyan – founder of Amanartis creative space at Vicarage Road Chapel

Charity Worker of the Year

  • Brick by Brick Communities – supporting those in need during the pandemic
  • Rhoda Amezado – founder of Ngorli CIC which helps refugee and evacuee families
  • Jenny Marsh – helps run the Watford Social Centre for the Blind
  • West Watford Community Association - supporting those in need during the pandemic
  • Alan Melinek – aka Piano Grandad raised £15,000 for Cancer Research

Contribution to Sport and Healthy Living

  • Watford Gymnastics Club
  • Tracy Reeve - Nordic Walking Watford
  • Dave Knight  - Knights Way Forward Walking Football

Good Neighbour Award

  • Pat and Nat Doran - helping with shopping and deliveries during pandemic
  • Wendy Turner - Nascourt Lunch Club and Holly Café
  • Phyllis Chase - PPE Project of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Public Service Award

  • Joseph Moran - Project Manager at Watford General Hospital
  • Alison Hayward - Pastoral Lead at Beechfield School
  • Eastbury Road refuse crew

Pride in Watford

  • Sandy Bell – works tirelessly to improve River Colne and River Gade
  • John Swain - Chairman of the Kingswood Residents Association
  • Refillabell - Watford's first zero waste and plastic free shop
  • Caleb Ratcliff - litter picking party for his seventh party

Young Achiever of the Year

  • Team Drum (Connie, Emma and Ellie) – supporting people with physical and/or sensory disabilities
  • Ami O’Sullivan – trainer at Watford Gymnastics Club
  • Dean Sabat – volunteers at vaccine clinic and for Watford Covid 19 support group
  • Mollie Dyer - Leader for the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association’s young person’s support group