Judging for our Croydon Champions 2009 has finished and the winners have been picked.
We have selected the most deserving people and organisations from dozens of nominations to bexcome this year’s Champions.
The winners will be announced at a gala evening at the Hilton Hotel on November 11.
Among the nominees is a man who has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to raising money for the Poppy Appeal.
Brian Jones, from Sanderstead, has been involved with the appeal since he was eight and has been Croydon’s organiser for 20 years.
The 55-year-old heads a small team of elderly volunteers, but that has not stopped them raising more than £30,000 each and every year since 2000.
Mr Jones said he was shocked at being nominated.
He said: “I don't merit any award. I just do it for other people and not personal recognition “I do it because our soldiers are always out their fighting and getting injured, they don’t get the support they need.”
Mr Jones comes from a military family, having served as a reservist in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers and his father served as a paratrooper.
Bill Cumber, 68 from Waddon, has worked with Mr Jones for 43 years and nominated him for the award.
Mr Cumber, owner of the only vehicle the poppy appeal has access to in the Croydon area, said: “I nominated Brian for his long service and for making Croydon one of the biggest fund raising districts in the south of England.
“Brian is disabled and the collectors are now well into their 70s, but they are all out collecting money in the cold November weather.
“He suffers from emphysema and one of his lungs has collapsed affecting his breathing and limiting his movement and yet he continues to have the drive and energy to help raise vital funds for veterans.”
The Poppy Appeal has been frustrated by a lack of new recruits in recent years and Mr Jones has to work harder than ever just to maintain the level of money raised.
He said: “Even if just 100 people volunteered for one hour after work it would make such a difference.”
Until then, it will be the hard work of Mr Jones and his small team who continue to selflessly dedicate their time and effort to raising money for the Poppy Appeal.
If anyone would like to volunteer they should leave a message for Mr Jones on 020 8683 1118.
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