Three brothers from South Woodford who gifted their neighbours sunflower plants to promote mental health awareness at the height of lockdown, took the top prize at this year's Young Citizen awards.

Ilford Recorder: Young Citizen Awards 2016 logoYoung Citizen Awards 2016 logo (Image: Archant)

The awards are run each year by the Ilford Recorder and Redbridge Rotary Club to celebrate the amazing things being done by young people in the borough.

Aron, Noah and Jonah Tiller, aged 12, 10 and six, beat some very tough competition this year for their sunflower contest which had the added bonus of helping some of their Muslim neighbours who couldn't see their family during Eid.

Ilford Recorder: August: Aron Tiller, 12, and his brothers Jonah, six, and 10-year-old Noah organised a sunflower-growing competition for neighbours.August: Aron Tiller, 12, and his brothers Jonah, six, and 10-year-old Noah organised a sunflower-growing competition for neighbours. (Image: Ken Mears)

The famous Lemonade for Yemen-aid Seven Kings boys were the runners-up along with Elsa Arnold, a Diana Award anti-bullying ambassador who started hosting Zoom sessions with children struggling with their school work and mental health issues after her A-levels were cancelled.

The awards were held in a virtual session hosted by Redbridge Rotary Club on Tuesday, March 16, since the Mayor's Community Awards night - where they normally take place - was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Ilford Recorder: July: Ayaan Moosa and Mikaeel Ishaaq raised more than £5,000 for their Lemonade for Yemen-aid stand.July: Ayaan Moosa and Mikaeel Ishaaq raised more than £5,000 for their Lemonade for Yemen-aid stand. (Image: Adeela Moosa)

The Tiller boys will receive £100 to go towards their chosen charity and they will be put forward for the national finals along with the runners-up.

Speaking at the event the Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain said: "During the past year we have faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic but despite this, these youngsters have gone out of their way to help their community."

Ilford Recorder: Ayaan Moosa was chuffed to see he made the front page of the Ilford Recorder.Ayaan Moosa was chuffed to see he made the front page of the Ilford Recorder. (Image: Adeela Moosa)

He praised the various ways the nominees have done this while overcoming their own personal challenges, and not only helping out in their own community but multiple nominees who have significantly contributed to global projects for those in desperate need of help.

Ilford Recorder: Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain revealed the winners in the Community Awards virtually after the gala event was cancelled.Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain revealed the winners in the Community Awards virtually after the gala event was cancelled. (Image: Ken Mears)


Noah Tiller said he was shocked to be announced as the winners but when asked about their sunflower contest he admitted to partly doing it for selfish reasons.

He said: "Especially for me and Jonah, we need a lot of socialisation, it just helps us interact with other people and filled in our days because we were always very bored!"

Ilford Recorder: Wanstead volunteer Elsa Arnold has been nominated for a Young Citizen awardWanstead volunteer Elsa Arnold has been nominated for a Young Citizen award (Image: Elsa Arnold)

Ayaan Moosa said it was really amazing to be named a runner-up along with his best mate Mikaeel Ishaaq.

Elsa Arnold summed up the spirits of the awards best when she said of all the nominees: "There is something so amazing about turning a negative experience into a positive and I think that's what we've all done here."