Mayor of Merton, Councillor Mary Curtin presented awards to members of the community and Merton Council’s Business Systems Team for their outstanding work at Merton’s annual council meeting (4 July).
Bethany Grech from Mitcham was presented with a certificate for her courage and swift action, when she used the first aid skills she’d learnt as a London Fire Cadet to help save her mother’s life. The sixteen-year-old found her mother Eileen, collapsed on the floor at home from the life-threatening condition sepsis. After checking Eileen’s breathing, Bethany cleared her airways then called an ambulance. At the hospital Bethany was told that her first aid skills had saved her mother’s life. Fire cadet units meet at certain fire stations on Wednesday evenings where they learn hands-on skills as well as team work and problem solving, communication, and health and safety. The London Fire Brigade junior cadet scheme is funded by Safer Merton.
Mayor Of Merton Councillor Mary Curtin presenting Bethany Grech with Darren Tulley Borough Commander Merton Fire Services
The second recipient of the night was Wimbledon based Business Clan, for winning Employer of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) London awards earlier this year. Beating-off stiff competition from 11 other nominees in the category, the consultancy firm which was setup in 2014 by Delia Portern and is co-owned with Nicolle Anderson, provides a ‘one-stop-shop’ for small businesses and start-ups in need of services business strategy, marketing, web design, human resources and accountancy. It was their ethos of inclusivity and flexibility in the workplace that stood out. Business Clan has a culture that is supportive of working mothers and women returning to the workforce after a period of caregiving.
Mayor Of Merton Councillor Mary Curtin presenting Nicolle Anderson Business Clan
The final award was given to Merton Council’s Business Systems Team in recognition of the work they have carried out on street data. The team received three awards at this year’s GeoPlace conference in Birmingham. The awards included, ‘Best in London Region’ which is given to the authority which has attained the highest standard in national tests on address and street data excellence and supply of regular updates to the national hub which manages receipt of address and street data from all authorities in England and Wales.
The Mayor of Merton Councillor Mary Curtin said, “I would like to congratulate all our award winners. It was such an honour to meet Bethany, the Business Clan and the Business Systems Team and present them with their certificates. Their dedication is second to none, and their hard work helps the council to make Merton a great place to live, work and visit.”