Hunter works tirelessly as a Practice Nurse, focusing on supporting the homeless community in Southampton. He goes above and beyond to help such a vulnerable group, raising money to fund the day centre which offers the community hot meals, sourcing donations of clothing from the local community so there are clean and fresh clothes available, running ladies night where vulnerable individuals can go to use wash facilities, speak to others in similar positions, find information about their health and access clean clothing. ​

​Hunter has a huge passion for helping the homeless community and this is evident in the effort he makes.

Frank has worked tirelessly for many years in the fitness industry and helped so many people including myself to find wellness, this is not just physical but Frank works to build mental health wellness too. His coaching skills are emotive, motivational and inspiring. Frank has also worked endlessly to improve both physical and mental well-being for our young people, using his incredible Funky Fit boxing classes that is being used in schools all over, not only does this improve fitness and mental well-being to our children but he gives young people the opportunity to learn to train others and become ambassadors in the field. Frank supports and takes part and organises many charity events himself and has always been a well-respected and known face around Southampton, helping to being every part of our community together!! Franks’s classes, his energy, his vibe his passion and goodwill to all is absolutely legendary. I owe so much of my journey to Frank and I know I am one of so so many. A role model for our young people.

I am nominating Saranjit Singh Karir because of his generous spirit and unwavering commitment to helping others. A devoted Sikh, Saranjit embraces everyone he meets, always extending kindness and support without hesitation. Whether serving the wider community or his own Punjabi faith, he is known for his willingness to assist anyone in need, with the answer always being a resounding “yes.” His selfless nature and dedication to service make him a true pillar of strength and compassion in the community.

Cheryl Butler has been a stalwart of the community for a large number of years celebrating and highlighting local history. She has written a number of books for the Southampton Record Series. She has run a number of community projects including the Diaper Heritage Group (which celebrated the Itchen Ferry communities), Tudor Revels, and through her Drama Group, the Sarah Siddons Fan Club. Cheryl helps bring to life to rich and varied history of the town to new generations in a fun and engaging way. She was instrumental in supporting the group applying for money to hold a very successful Jane Austen Festival, and also supported Peartree Church with their Peartree 400 project. Cheryl is also a member of the Southampton Tourist Guides and has trained new guides to promote the history of the town and also worked with Gods House Tower to promote Black history of the town too which dates back over 500 years. This is just the tip of the iceberg of some of the projects she has been involved in.

Naz has been doing community work for many years and is involved with getting food to those communities in need. He is a machine and never takes any credit and just does it because he cares. He has been doing this for over 10 years and helps me with many of the things I do in the community. He is a legend.

I’m excited to nominate Parminder for her incredible dedication as a volunteer at Unity 101. Having been a professional radio broadcaster, Parminder brings a wealth of experience and passion to the station, but what stands out most is her commitment to giving back to the community. Despite her professional background, she humbly volunteers her time, sharing her skills to uplift others and amplify diverse voices. Her generosity, combined with her love for radio, has made a real difference in making Unity 101 a strong platform for the community. Its this selfless spirit that truly sets her apart.

Jacqui is an all-round legend in Southampton – advocating for those communities who are under represented and she isn’t afraid to stand up to what she believes in.

Chris has been helping to guide our Cub aged Scouts for almost 10 years. Recently he has helped launch the new Squirrel Scout section for 4 and 5 year olds. He also helps buddy new leaders when they first start their volunteering journey.​

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I am nominating Vikki Cheng because of her remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a new country while dedicating herself to community service. After moving here, Vikki quickly became an integral part of the Chinese Association of Southampton, where she now serves as Vice Chair. Her energy and commitment are evident in the wide range of activities she leads, always focused on bringing people together. Vikki’s dedication to fostering unity and building connections across the community makes her an invaluable and inspiring leader

I am honored to nominate Melanie for her outstanding contributions to the Ukrainian community and her relentless efforts to support those affected by the war in Ukraine over the past two years. Melanie’s dedication to setting up and leading the Ukrainian Community Group has had a profound impact, offering a lifeline of support and hope for hundreds of displaced people and refugees.​

When the war in Ukraine began, Melanie immediately took action, spearheading the collection, sorting, and dispatching of over 300 tons of aid to Ukraine an extraordinary achievement that required countless hours of work and selfless commitment. Her unwavering dedication to the cause saw her giving up hundreds of hours of her time, and she remained available 24/7, providing assistance to those in distress and answering calls from individuals in need.​

Each week, over 300 people attended the Ukrainian Community Group, where Melanie ensured that essential services were available, including support from the benefits agency.

Jeanne has been an amazing befriended to 47 women since 2017! ​

She offers support, hope and belonging to families and their children who feel isolated and overwhelmed to prevent needs escalating. She work directly with families, giving practical and emotional support to parents and children, giving a regular break and space to families when this is needed. ​

Jeanne has gone above and beyond in coming along side struggling mums. She is an absolute hero!

I am nominating Anjali because of her tireless dedication to community service and her generous spirit. For the past ten years, she has been a committed volunteer at Unity 101 Radio, while also lending her support to over 100 events across Hampshire. Two years ago, alongside her husband, she founded the Hampshire Indian Community, and together they have been working with Dorset County Council to host free cultural events for everyone to share and enjoy. Anjali’s passion for bringing people together and her selfless efforts to create inclusive spaces make her an exceptional and valued member of the community.

Mandana advocates for the Iranian community and is also on the Council of Faiths, doing wonderful things to support the community.

Nikki is an integral part of life in West End, running the toddler group through to the Youth House, meaning she comes across these children when they’re babies and then when they get older too. She’s an amzing communicator and ambassador for Southampton, taking the young people from the youth club on trips and on experiences out of school time. We’re very lucky to have her. ​

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Parveen is a volunteer in her community and her passion is second to none! She has loads of ideas for change and is dedicated to making change happen.

I am nominating Haimanti Kumar because of her incredible creativity and dedication to enriching our community through art, fashion, music, and hosting. Despite her busy life as a wife and mother, Haimanti has volunteered her time and talents as a music director for major theatre productions and curated fashion shows with over 100 models. She continues to give back through her work with Unity 101 and various Bengali and London-based organisations. Her passion for the arts and her tireless commitment to sharing it with others, all on a voluntary basis, make her an inspiring force in the community.​

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Renu is deeply passionate about serving the community selflessly. She has been actively helping numerous individuals settle in the UK, while also offering support by discussing mental health and wellbeing. Renu is the founder of the Hampshire Indian Community and volunteers her time to promote cultural diversity and inclusion within the local area. Her dedication to the welfare of others and her commitment to building a supportive, multicultural community truly reflect her selflessness and care for people.​

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I am nominating Edward because of his incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading figure in the AI industry, all while maintaining his deep commitment to helping others. Despite his professional success, with features in the Financial Times, Forbes, and even a billboard in New York’s Times Square, Edward remains grounded and compassionate. He has been a dedicated volunteer at Unity 101 for over 10 years, always going the extra mile for the people he meets. In addition to his community work, he takes care of his mother in the Philippines, reflecting his selfless and caring nature. Edward’s cool temperament and unwavering dedication make him truly deserving of this recognition.

Vie is just amazing! I’ve attended book readings at the library with my children. Body positive online workshops for parents, which gave a great perspective for parents to consciously raise their children to have self acceptance. Vie also gave a couple of hours of her time to help my daughter complete her volunteering project for school, to design motivational posters for children preparing for sats. ​

She also ran free online workshops throughout lockdown, to read stories and talk to children. She is just an amazing woman who deserves recognition and it would be amazing for her to get some publicity so she can do more of her great work!​

Nagina works extensively with the Asian community, in Southampton – irrespective of their faith worked with all communities to alert them. ​

She has run a number of support groups open to all women encouraging them to engage and integrate with the community, at large.​

Most recently, she has also worked with all communities, genders and ethnicities on the subject of cancer awareness. She focuses on hard to reach groups, such as men (who are notoriously wary of going to their GP with cancer concerns, and dark-skinned people who may not feel in danger of skin cancer, for example

Satty is the kind of person that you are proud to have in the city! ​

​I am nominating Satvir Potiwal, Station Manager at Southampton Railway Station, for their remarkable contributions to the community. Satvir actively supports and promotes the great work happening at the station and engages closely with local groups and charities. They are also deeply involved in supporting initiatives like South Asian Heritage Month and Pride showing a strong commitment to inclusivity. Satty works closely with the seniors of the Saints Foundation, participating in events that provide meaningful community support. ​

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“As a group – and individuals (who didn’t want to be nominated individually)they arrange amazing events all year round. These events are targeted to all sections of the community, Young parents with children, people who need warmth and companionship, unemployed people needing I.T. Help, Summer historical talks on a monthly basis, charity events. They really are the embodiment of a great library who actively get involved with all aspects of the community for the benefit of the community. They do all of the community events voluntarily ”

Robin has been vital to the success of Southampton Theatre, knowing exactly what audiences want and delivering. He’s a Soton cheerleader to the max, always positive and driving forward.

Roy created and oversaw the civic award in Southampton for 35 years. Roy is also retired teacher from Mansbridge school. The opportunities that the civic award presented to children was huge, including involvement in the community and helping others. It is a stepping stone for the Duke of Edinburgh award. Roy also extended the award to key stage 1 and for the over 60s. ​

​The award started in one school but Roy was committed to extending this more widely. Roy met with Alan Whitehead (previous leader of the Council and MP) and it was agreed the award should be expanded to schools all across the city. I myself was one of those children that completed the award over 28 years ago. I remember it fondly. Not only is the award incredible for children but a good representation of Southampton. ​

​Roy is a valued member of the Education community, and further afield.

David works tirelessly to understand their community and help get people active.

I know Tommy as he has been a Trustee of Southampton Sight (Southampton Society of the Blind) since 1993 and has always been an exemplary example of how to live a full, independent and happy life with severe sight loss. ​

Tom was a foster child in Glasgow and still has a very loving relationship with his foster family. When he was 16 years old, he left to join the Merchant Navy which by all accounts he loved as he travelled the world but unfortunately on the eve of his 31st birthday he ingested arsenic which led to total blindness. He didn’t cope at all well and on return to Southampton was unemployed and isolated. Speaking to the Southampton City Council Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired at the time it was a long road to get Tom back to respecting himself and others. He was sent to adult education colleges in Devon and Loughborough for rehabilitation. Tom tells the story of going to a camp with other people with sight loss and seeing their capacity to live well spurred him on to live bet​

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Shirley has been a driving force behind Southampton for years! She set up and ran Destination Southampton bringing huge business to the city. She’s the most amazing connector of people and is there ready to help anyone out. SWJ Events also help deliver the most fantastic promotional events for and in the city.​

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Dermot has been a volunteer within the Scout movement for 18 years, the last 14 years as their Group Treasurer (the hardest role in any organisation). He is helpful and approachable whenever I have an question.​

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Ali is always working hard uniting communities and made a big difference for positive in Southampton and the awaaz fm is internationally known and loved. Thanks to his hard work. He is caring and always giving blood taking part in charity events and supporting all.​

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Ralph is such an integral part of the Highfield After School Club in Southampton. He cares so much about his job, the children that come to the club and the community . My husband Damian and I would like to nominate Ralph to be recognised in the Community Legends – City Reflections as he is definitely our local legend. ​

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Kristianne is CEO of a local charity, In Focus, that provides crucial support to local young people – creative learning, exploration, and artistic expression opportunities and a safe space for those with minority characteristics/additional challenges such as neuro-divergence and members of the LGBTQIA+ community which often contribute to poorer mental health. With the stretch and strain on NHS and Education resources, this charity fills 2 large gaps in a safe, inclusive, empowering and liberating way. The young people regularly exhibit their work and are supported to step out of their comfort zones as much as they are able to navigate. Kristianne is authentic, empathetic and lives and breathes inclusivity. This has transformed my son’s life – as a creative outlet, developing social confidence, and most of all, finding his “people” to connect with, grow with, and learn from. His 6 months with this group, and with Kristianne’s continued support, have given him more than he had from his entire schooling experience​

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Andy brings the history of Southampton and all its historical cultures to life.He knows so much about our city from pre-Roman to this century. He encourages people of all ages to engage with history and increase their knowledge about Southampton. Andy is always willing to share information with individuals and he has a relaxed and informal style. I grew up in Southampton but have learned such a lot from him.​

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Jessie Chen is an active member of Hampshire Chinese Community. I know Jessie for many years as she is active in the Chinese community of Southampton. I am the leader of Hampshire Chinese Community. ​

Jessie has been living in The City of Southampton over 20 years after moving from Southern China. At the beginning of her UK life, Jessie spent a lot of time to study English language and the culture in Southampton in order to settle in this city of diversity. ​

In addition, Jessie works very hard in the local Chinese catering business to support the living of her new family. Later, Jessie gave birth to a daughter and a son. The girl and boy became sound student in Portsmouth University and St. Mark School respectively. Jessie is also a role model for her two children and other members in Chinese community. She did attend the English class in local college to improve her English skills as Chinese language is her mother tongue. She never stop learning new skills

I am honored to nominate Ahmed (MBE) for his lifelong dedication to supporting and uplifting others. Throughout his policing career, Ahmed has mentored and guided countless individuals who have gone on to become key figures in our community. He continues to provide invaluable support to various organizations, offering guidance and using his extensive network to help them reach their goals. Ahmed’s ability to connect people and empower them to succeed has had a lasting impact on both individuals and the wider community, making him a true cornerstone of support and leadership.

He does amazing work for Jazz in Southampton.

Angela has been campaigning on environmental issues in Southampton for decades. She is co-chair of Transition Southampton and Coordinator of the four Southampton Repair Cafes. She is on the Steering Group of Southampton Climate Action Network and has worked hard on policy issues. She has given talks on many subjects including hydrogen, retrofitting and net zero. I have known Angela for over ten years and worked with her on the Repair Cafes and writing responses to Council and Government consultations. She is a quiet, self-effacing person who helps keep the environmental awareness and education show on the road. Just Google her name to confirm all this!

Barbara is a regular volunteer at Round About Cafe in Mansbridge. We managed to convince Barbara to volunteer as she was a regular Community Pantry member and saw how busy we were. She’s thrown herself in to the roll and has learnt how to make all the food, drinks and also takes payments for customers, she’s been a real help and customers love chatting to her. We couldn’t run the cafe without the volunteer’s help, so thank you!

Some of the parents of Highfield School children would like to nominate Cath for all she does for the Highfield School community. Cath leads the organisation of a huge amount of activities including the Christmas Fayre and the Summer Fayre which both raise funds for the school and the children, also many other projects including second hand school uniform jumbles, selling school calendars and so much more. Cath also volunteers at Highfield Church. She’s our community legend.

I am nominating David Vane for his long-standing dedication to fostering unity and understanding among diverse communities. As a member of the Southampton Council of Faiths (SCOF) for as long as I can remember, and now serving as its chair, David has worked tirelessly to bring together people from seven different faiths, promoting dialogue and cooperation. Recently, he initiated the “Friendship Lunch,” further strengthening connections across the city. Through his regular efforts to encourage open conversations and support those in need, David has made a lasting impact on our community, embodying the values of inclusivity and compassion.

Devin is a young transgender man who co-directed The Art House with me for four years and who I know through activism in the LGBTQ+ and other local communities. Where do I start! As a visible transgender person, Devin advocates for this community in his music and activism as well as in practical ways. He also does so much for the local community, lots of tiny acts of kindness from dropping off food on his motorbike during lockdowns to offering emotional support to folks whether he knows them or not. His whole philosophy is to share what he has. As somebody who has had considerable personal struggles and losses in his life, some at a very young age, his tireless contribution to Southampton’s community is all the more impressive.

Helen tirelessly works to make St Denys a better place, from helping organise community celebrations to creating art trails and driving goods for the local food project. She was a driving force in gaining lottery money to rebuild St Denys community centre and hasn’t stopped serving the community since then! She helps the community in so many ways – big and small and never thinks twice about stepping in to support people.

With world events changing daily, it is important to tackle racism, Islamophobia and the mental stress that it all brings. Houleida brought to Awaaz Radio an Arabic show that tackles this and many other issues prevalent in the Arabic community. As a teacher herself, she is apt is being able to support the community in this manner.

Judith is an exceptional candidate for this nomination. Her unwavering commitment to the Community Group as Secretary for over five years highlights her dedication and selflessness. Following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Judith played a crucial role in re-starting the Group, guiding it through times of loss and instability, and contributing to its current growth. Her contributions extend beyond her secretarial duties. She goes above and beyond by stepping in wherever needed, handling various responsibilities like hall organization, cooking, cleaning, and ensuring all members are well-informed and cared for. Judith manages all of this while balancing her family life and her role.

Julia plays an important part in making sure the Beaver Section at the 11th Southampton Scouts runs smoothly and offers fun and friendship to young children in the area.

Julia has spent many years as treasurer for the Southampton branch of BackCare. She helps provide advice and support to many people that are living with back pain in Southampton.

I have nominated Lantana Atkins as a community legend because of her involvement in volunteering and serving in the community with organisations and charities like BBAM festival as a volunteer in co-ordinating activities, Nigerian Community in Hampshire as a marshal in their annual events like the marathons, on her days off she volunteers for Road closure for safety of children, and Siren study to help with medical research. Lantana and I are part BBAM Festival group and volunteered together in BBAM Festival second edition.

She helped me use my inspiration on my makeup. She also helped me with my mental health and my sister with her make up

Maria is definitely a legend in the SO19 post code. She has almost single-handedly transformed the Shoreburs Way valley (beside Mayfield Park) from a junk-strewn, overgrown, polluted wilderness, to a beautiful nature reserve. She endlessly fights back against invasive species and safeguards rare specimens of wildlife and plant life and can usually be found, in her wellies, knee deep in the stream (which we have all now named Maria’s Brook). Maria has recently run some public walks, to inform locals about the work she does and the history of the valley and its wildlife. She has accommodated young people who want to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Award and rallied teams of litter pickers when a big push has been needed to clear up the mess. She is a conduit between locals and the city council, pushing for action on maintaining the walkways, preventing sewage spills, managing fallen trees. She is unpaid but totally dedicated. A few years ago she was caught up in the horror of the Batterclan terrorist gun attack in Germany, along with her husband and a good friend – who Maria and and her husband ran back inside to rescue after he fell among the stampede of panicked audience members. She cites working in the valley as part of her therapy to cope with the subsequent PTSD. She’s a kind and fascinating individual and we can’t imagine our valley without her. She very much deserves recognition for everything she does, for her bravery and tenacity, and for the inspiration she gives to others.

Martin Brisland is one of the most deserving community legends in Southampton. The City of Culture team would already be familiar with his work as a See Southampton guide and his many books about Southampton. He has endless energy and passion for sharing historical facts about the city, and you only have to look to the In Common page to see the daily delightful, sometimes intriguing facts about Southampton’s past. I would love to nominate him as a community legend.

Matt is an absolute credit to the local community, heading the writing development agency ArtfulScribe, based at MAST Mayflower Studios. As a result of Matt’s work, hundreds of young people have been inspired to write and engage with creativity, and his organisation has supported countless creatives to achieve their artistic ambitions and further their careers.

Improving young people’s lives.

I am proud to nominate Nisha for her outstanding dedication as a volunteer at Unity 101. Her passion for serving the community truly shines through in everything she does. Nisha’s commitment goes beyond just volunteering—she puts her heart into every task, always working to make a positive impact. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and she’s played a key role in helping the station connect with and uplift our diverse community. Nisha’s genuine love for giving back is what makes her such a valuable and inspiring member of the team.

Nutan Singh embodies dedication and passion, making her a deserving nominee for the Community Legend Award. Her tireless efforts and genuine commitment to helping others have made a significant positive impact on our community. Nutan’s involvement spans a range of initiatives, from assisting residents in finding suitable accommodation to addressing concerns that affect the community’s safety and well-being. She has been a guiding light for those in need, always ready to lend a helping hand or share valuable information, ensuring everyone knows the rules and guidelines that govern our community. One of her standout contributions has been her proactive approach to tackling the issue of burglary crime in Hampshire. Nutan took it upon herself to raise awareness about the increase in such incidents and worked diligently to ensure the community’s voice was heard. She was pivotal in organizing meetings with local councillors and the Police Commissioner, advocating for better security measures and enhanced police presence. Thanks to her efforts, many residents feel safer and more informed about the steps they can take to protect their homes. Nutan’s ability to bring people together and champion change is truly inspiring. She is not just a problem-solver but also a beacon of hope and strength, standing up for those who might not have the platform or resources to do so themselves. Her dedication to the community goes beyond solving immediate issues; she fosters a sense of unity and trust, making our neighbourhood a better place to live. Nutan Singh’s relentless advocacy and unwavering support for the people of Hampshire make her a worthy candidate for the Community Legend Award. She truly exemplifies the spirit of community service and inspires us all.

Pete has been a willing pair of hands at the 11th Southampton Scout Group for over 15 years. Whether it is moving equipment for camp or maintenance on the Group Hall, Pete is the first to volunteer to help ensure that our young people get amazing opportunities.

Peter is an all round legend! He advocates for people in his community and is an amazing person.

She works for the council up at Orpen Road sheltered housing for the elderly and she literally is an Angel, nothing is too much for her when helping our most vulnerable, no one has ever said a bad word about her, in fact totally the opposite. She is extremely humble and would never seek any form of personal gratification, she never has, it makes her even more precious. I implore any of you to just head up there and ask anyone about her and you will see what a treasure we have in our midst.

He works day in, day out for the community in Southampton. He is a President of the Vedic Society Hindu Temple and also runs a number of community groups. He will go out of his way to help anyone. He has made a huge difference in Temple with his strong leadership. Sanjay started a community WhatsApp group to support people in Southampton and beyond. Sanjay is also a father of an autistic boy and he helps other parents who look after autistic children. He runs a Facebook group with 16,000 parents.

She is a key person in the community of Swaythling and puts a huge amount of effort into helping the community. I know her through her involvement in St Alban’s and St Mary’s churches in Swaythling, where she is heavily involved in running activities including Thursdays Together (a combined food bank and social/support event), Messy Church (a different form of church for young people and families), youth activities, craft groups and more. She has made a massive difference to the community there – both supporting people herself and bringing people together to support each other. Personally, she (and her husband, Peter) have provided a lot of support to my family, particularly when my son was young and my wife and I were struggling massively with mental health problems. There are multiple people in Swaythling who would say they owe their lives to Sarah. Somehow she manages to do this while also looking after her three teenage children and running a household – I really don’t know how. She does all of this with limited resources and doesn’t always get the recognition she deserves.

I would like to nominate Sarah Filmer as a community legend for her ground-breaking artistic work in the City. I first came across Sarah’s work back in 2016 when I was one of the 600 local women who responded to her call to support a project at God’s House Tower in Southampton in a bid to overturn its “deeply gendered” record of history (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-37810942) “Over 600 women turned up to the event and 429 stories of women were collected, at the October event, which aimed to reverse “700 years of ignored female history”, said Sarah. It was an amazing day of song, spoken word, drawing, photography and poetry which brought together female residents from all walks of life. A few years later, Sarah started the project Knitting the Walls, where men, women and children came together regularly over a period of 3 years or more to knit (or learn to knit) pieces of knitting that were used in 2023 to creative an entire room and all its contents made of wool, inside the God’s Tower. These are Sarah just a couple of her works. She produces outstanding artistic work which democratises art in the course of community engagement projects at their best.

“You might have noticed on your walks around the city the small squared mosaics depicting a variety of characters. The man behind all of these is Will Rosie, a mosaic artist, former youth worker, and tireless street pastor. Will Rosie has been part of many arts projects in the city, including the painted zebras, the lighthouses that are on display in the city. I met Will a decade ago. I am very familiar of the amazing work he does as a street pastor, going out on evening and night patrols with his wife and others, to help people in need, from young vulnerable women who have gone out clubbing to people who are struggling with life. But he also made it his mission to brighten up the city with his mosaics. People have organised walking trails to find the mosaics, including people who haven’t been out of the house for a long time. He is a shining light for the city. ”