John Gadd Recognised at the Mayor of Redbridge Community Awards

We’re delighted to share that our wonderful volunteer John Gadd has been recognised at the Mayor of Redbridge Community Awards, celebrating those who make an outstanding contribution to local life. 
 
John has been a dedicated member of the Saint Francis Hospice Barkingside shop team for almost two years, giving his time five mornings a week and always arriving early to help the day run smoothly. From dressing our shop windows with creativity, to sorting and pricing donations, to supporting the manager with anything needed, John brings reliability, warmth, and real pride to every task. His brilliant way with customers and willingness to turn his hand to anything make him an invaluable member of the team. 
 

For John, the heart of volunteering is community. He describes getting “a real buzz” from helping others, meeting new people, and being part of a supportive and hardworking team. Knowing that his time helps raise vital funds for local people means a great deal to him and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he does. 
 
At the awards ceremony on Tuesday 10th March, hosted by Cllr Beverley Brewer, Mayor of Redbridge, John and fellow nominees were celebrated with glowing tributes.

Reflecting on the night, John said: “A good evening all round. All the attendees that had been shortlisted were given a glowing resume of their contribution to the local community and were given thunderous applause as they made their way to the Mayor, who presented us with a certificate of achievement and a personalised plaque. There were individual photographs with the Mayor, and then group photos at the end. The evening concluded with a light supper. I felt honoured to be there for Saint Francis Hospice.” 
 
Congratulations and thank you, John.

This recognition is truly well deserved.