A dozen people are given civic awards

A DOZEN people were given a gong for outstanding contributions to their East End community during the annual civic awards.

A DOZEN people were given a gong for outstanding contributions to their East End community during the annual civic awards.

Among the winners at last week's civic awards ceremony at Tower Hamlets were people who had collected money for charity, ferried elderly neighbours to hospital, and run sports sessions for young people.

Among the winners were Bow resident Len Page who organises the borough's yearly Poppy Appeal, with his wife Dolly, to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Councillor Tim Archer who nominated Len said: "I've known Len for a number of years now and every year he approaches this task with the vigour and vim of a pro, and certainly with the energy of a much younger man.

"Every year he arranges an army of helpers to sell poppies, last year his team of collectors raised an amazing sum of over �60,000. This would not happen without Len, he truly is an unsung hero."

The winners were presented with their awards by Tower Hamlets Mayor Ahmed Omer and Deputy Lieutenant of Tower Hamlets John Ludgate.