The ‘Civic Award’ winners with mayor Marian Spall during the ceremony at Islington Assembly Hall

A WINDOW cleaner who spends his spare time setting up sports teams for children was among unsung heroes celebrated at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.

Paul Badman, who spent a decade caring for his mother-in-law who had dementia, also looks out for his elderly neighbours.

“I’ve lived on the Market Estate my whole life and I care about it,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of things over the years – kids’ football teams, training boxers as well, and helping the elderly. If I see someone who I think needs help, I’m not shy coming forward. Maybe God is looking down on me thinking, ‘He might have a name like Badman, but he’s a good man.’”

Mr Badman said anybody could get involved in helping others, adding: “I see a lot of it on Facebook, where people talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk – get out there on the streets and do it!”

Paul Badman

Mr Badman was one of the winners of a “Civic Award” handed out by Islington every year. Winners are picked by a panel chaired by the Mayor, Marian Spall, and received their certificate and prize vouchers at a ceremony at Islington Assembly Hall. The event was hosted by comedian Tom Ward.

Other winners included Sharon Hussein, a hairdresser who always makes time to speak to people struggling with their mental health, and Janice Tucker, the founder of the Archway Town Centre Group, which works with the police and local authorities to make Archway a safer place to live in.

Marie Williamson also won an award, as recognition for her work as a refuge manager at Solace Women’s Aid. It was someone currently using the refuge who had nominated her.

“I was so happy that they had seen all of the hard work that we put into it, and having that feedback from the service users is really what we want,” said Ms Williamson.

Other winners were Nicholas Crivello, who works in SoapBox, the Old Street youth centre, who was recognised for his dedication to working with children; FoodCycle in Finsbury Park; the Hive Food Bank at St Mary’s in Hornsey Rise; and Toni Parker, who runs Pack Up, a soup kitchen in St James’ Church Hall near Angel.

The Ben Kinsella Award, which recognises the community work of a young person, went to Charlie Bridgeman from the Zone Youth Centre’s café.