Haringey Heroes are Haringey’s annual civic awards. Based on nominations from residents and council staff, the awards recognise the local people, businesses and community groups who go the extra mile in service to our borough.
This year’s awards included 14 different categories, recognising the inspiring diversity of ways in which the Haringey community comes together to make our borough the welcoming and dynamic place it is.
Winners included Abigail Toghill, who was awarded the Mayor’s Hero for 2026 award for her work championing road safety. After a personal tragedy, Abigail became a steadfast campaigner for road safety. Her campaigning efforts with RoadPeace have secured a 20mph limit on The Roundway, an act that will help to save lives and make our borough safer for all.
Other winners included Jessie Stephens MBE, who was awarded a special Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless community engagement work across the borough, and Ephraim Sileshi who picked up the Young Citizen of the year award for his unwaning commitment to public service as a Volunteer Police Cadet.
This year’s awards also featured a special category celebrating the borough’s unique food and drink offering. The title of Hospitality Business of the Year was awarded to much-loved restaurant San Marco, which was recognised for persevering through tough personal circumstances to continue serving generations of the Tottenham community with unwavering dedication, warmth, and commitment to tradition.
Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Ahmed Mahbub, said:
“It’s been my absolute honour to present this year’s Haringey Heroes awards. These awards are an important reminder of the power of community, and the many ways that our residents and businesses go above and beyond to make our borough such a wonderful place to live and work.
“I’m particularly touched to have had the opportunity to honour Abigil Toghill, who, in the face of unimaginable tragedy has channelled her grief into powerful action and relentless campaigning, securing changes that have made our roads safer for all. I can’t think of a more deserving winner of the Mayor’s Hero Award.
“What makes the Haringey Heroes awards so special is that they are all based on nominations from residents, who see first hand the amazing work these heroes do in their communities. As well as congratulating our winners, I’d like to thank all those who took the time to make nominations and ensure these unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve.”
Haringey Heroes 2026: Award winners
The full list of winners and Highly Commended for 2026 are:
Community Hero
Mohammad Sohail Ali – Winner
Verral Paul – Walcott – Highly Commended
Juan Guillermo Orobio Candelo – Highly Commended
Community Impact Business of the Year
Kidz Kabin – Winner
Pickled Pepper Books - Highly Commended
The Hill Group – Highly Commended
Creative Industry Business of the Year
George Padmore Institute - Winner
New Beacon Books - Winner
Unit 58 – Highly Commended
Moving Waves – Highly Commended
Culture and Creative Hero of the year
James Straffon - Winner
Cem Kaplan – Highly Commended
Louise Coutinho Illustration - Highly Commended
Emerging Business of the Year
ARC Club - Winner
Dubai Coffee – Highly Commended
Canopy Nursery Bounds Green – Highly Commended
Health and Wellbeing Hero of the Year
Deborah King – Winner
Ozge Aksakal - Highly Commended
Chris Hall – Highly Commended
Hospitality Business of the Year
San Marco - Winner
Lucia Coffeehouse & Deli Food – Highly Commended
The High Cross Pub - Highly Commended
Sustainability Hero of the Year
Sonja Scantlebury - Camara – Winner
Iain Drury - Highly Commended
Michael Poteliakhoff – Highly Commended
Sustainable Business of the Year
Kaz Foncette - The Heroes Haven – Winner
Wheely Tots – Highly Commended
Bio Buds - Highly Commended
Mayor’s Hero 2026
Abigail Toghill – Winner
Nuray Hakyemez – Highly Commended
Tesfay Tuquabo – Highly Commended(Foster carer)
Zufan Asghedom – Highly Commended( Foster carer)
Voluntary Community Group of the year
SEND Power in Haringey – Winner
Gik-Der / The Refugee Workers Cultural Association – Highly Commended
London Mets Baseball Club – Highly Commended
Volunteer of the Year
Helen Mayer - Winner
Daniel Oyejola – Highly Commended
David Whyte - Highly Commended
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jessie Margurite Florida Stephens MBE
Young Citizen of the Year
Ephraim Sileshi – Winner
Zakariya Ahmed – Highly Commended
Caitlin Watson-Horsewood – Highly Commended
