Four unsung heroes receive Lord Mayor’s Awards
Four unsung heroes who quietly go about their voluntary work to make the district a better place have been recognised with Lord Mayor’s Awards.
The annual scheme celebrates those people who give up their time to help others, and it’s extra special because all the nominations are submitted by individuals or groups who have been supported by or benefitted from those they are nominating.
This year’s deserving winners were announced by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Keji Moses, at a ceremony at Tower House yesterday (Wednesday 28 January).
The first recipient of a Lord Mayor’s Award was Steve Clayton, the Chairman of Whitstable Football Club.
Steve’s role is entirely voluntary, and is one that he spends up to 40 hours a week on.
His nomination said: “The club has many volunteers, but he is at the centre, mentoring and helping youth managers, dealing with welfare issues and project managing improvements at the ground to make it more inclusive.
“He has created free sessions to make sure football is available for all in the community and successfully written bids for grants to fund them.
“Steve has turned the club from 10 youth teams and the senior club in debt, into a successful not for profit organisation with 47 teams and over 600 players all from the local community.”
The icing on the cake was the club’s incredible achievement last year when they won the FA Vase at Wembley, a success celebrated with an open top bus parade through the town.
This year’s second winner was Rachel Gauton, from Route 23 café in Sussex Avenue, Canterbury. Rachel set up the initiative to support people who were lonely and in need of a community.
Her nomination said: “She successfully applied for funding to furnish the Route 23 café and pay the necessary staff. It was hoped that people with little to say on their CVs would be able to gain training and experience working there that would enable them to move out into the job market.
“This has indeed happened – several times over the 10 years that Route 23 has been running.
“Rachel is the lynchpin to the whole project. Her warm and caring manner sets the tone. She has amazing innate managerial skills but takes time to listen to and support the café’s guests as well as supporting the staff as they develop.”
As one of the many comments from guests puts it: “The people at Route 23 are my family”.
And the final two recipients were husband and wife team, Paul and Rani Babra from Canterbury.
Paul and Rani have tirelessly served the Canterbury population with food and entertainment at major events in and around Canterbury for many years.
Their nomination said: “Paul and Rani are well known by all and participate in all community projects that require helping others. They were also instrumental in providing free meals to the needy, the isolated and the key workers during the height of the covid pandemic.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing them for a number of years, and in that time, I’ve come to see just how much of Canterbury’s community spirit is reflected in their work.
“Paul and Rani represent the very best of Canterbury – proud of their roots, generous with their time, and always looking for ways to give back. Their impact goes far beyond great food; it’s about bringing people together.”
And as one other nominator also said: “Paul’s curries are second to none”.
Cllr Moses said: “We had a tremendous response to this year’s call for nominations and could have presented the awards many times over because there were so many people who were deserving of this recognition.
“But the judging panel was particularly struck by what was said about the four winners and everything they have done to help in their local communities.
“I could not have been happier to present these awards to Steve, Rachel, Paul and Rani and thank them on behalf of all residents in our district for the contribution they have made.”
Published: 29 January 2026