Crawley Mayor Councillor Sharmila Sivarajah held a Mayor's Reception following the Crawley Community Awards 2025. The Mayor highlighted her chosen charity The Russell Martin Foundation, held a raffle and invited people to enjoy food and drink.
00:00Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and valued members of our community, it is an absolute honor to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate the remarkable contributions of our volunteers, our unsung heroes whose dedication and service enrich our town every single day.
00:20Crowley Council takes great pride in recognizing these extraordinary individuals with our annual community awards, a tradition that highlights the hard work, selflessness and commitment that make our town a better place for all.
00:34Their diverse efforts, whether through supporting local initiatives, helping vulnerable residents or fostering a spirit of unity, are the foundation upon which our thriving community stands, their service is not just appreciated, it is essential to the fabric of Crowley.
00:49This year marks another special milestone as we host the first ever mayor's reception, a moment for us to come together in gratitude and celebration.
01:00It is also an opportunity for me to introduce my chosen charity for the year.
01:05The Russell Martin Foundation, this incredible organization works to support vulnerable adults and children, particularly those excluded from mainstream education,
01:16offering them a pathway back to school and a brighter future.
01:20The work is both inspiring and deeply necessary and I look forward to sharing more about how we can support their mission.
01:29In particular, the extra time project based at the Crowley-Gatwick Keystone Centre offers a range of fantastic services.
01:37This includes working with all local secondary schools at key stages three and four,
01:44half holiday club, one-to-one sessions, peace book training and mentoring, boxing session for girls and boys, outreach in the local arts sports.
01:56Following this ceremony, I warmly invite you to join us to the mayor's reception where we will continue to celebration with food, drinks and an opportunity to learn more about the Russell Martin Foundation.
02:09We will also be holding a ruffle in support of the foundation and I encourage everyone to take part and contribute to this vital course.
02:18Thank you all for being here, for your commitment to our community and for making Crowley a place of kindness, service and unity.
