The 2025 ‘Love in Action’ Volunteering Awards will be held on Wednesday, 26 November. This year’s finalists display outstanding achievements in service in a range of categories, and we are pleased to be able to introduce them to you below. To see the winners as they are announced, tune in to the live stream here.
St Thérèse of Lisieux Award
George Rego
For more than 30 years, George has been at the heart of parish life at St Joan of Arc in Highbury, supporting priests, parishioners and community projects. He also helps with managing finances and administration, preparing the sacristy, locking up the church and organising events. George also visits the sick and isolated, offering companionship and practical help. His humility and quiet leadership inspire others, and his nominator notes that ‘whether the task is large or small, he quietly steps up, always doing more than what is expected.’
Christine Fleming
Christine (left) has given over 40 years of joyful service to St Philip the Apostle parish in Finchley Church End, from catechesis and liturgy to community events. She has led Communion courses, Passion plays, Christmas lunches, and countless parish fairs and fundraisers. Described as warm, funny, and generous, Christine has inspired generations of parishioner, many of whom are her godchildren or Confirmation sponsees. Her kindness especially shines through in her care for children and vulnerable parishioners; she ensures that everyone feels welcomed and valued.
Parish Social Action Award
Pam Brannigan
Pam has dedicated decades to parish and community life at Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchin. She regularly fundraises for charities through Sunday coffee mornings and the parish’s Michaelmas Fair, and volunteer’s with parish-based initiatives like the Hitchin Pantry and Feed Up Warm Up. Pam also runs a weekly house prayer group, helps elderly parishioners with transport, and formerly led the ‘Gateway Club’ for people with disabilities. Alongside this, Pam is a founding member of the parish Craft and One World/Live Simply groups, and continues to serve as a parish reader and Eucharistic Minister.
William Gardner Hunter
William gives his time generously to Westminster Cathedral, fulfilling a range of functions including altar server, financial committee member, event steward, and welcomer. His support extends beyond the cathedral walls, helping elderly parishioners with technology, transport, and companionship. During the pandemic, William drove priests to funerals and assisted those isolated at home. His tireless kindness and humility inspire others to engage in parish life, making him a true witness of service and community spirit.
Parish Social Action Team Award
HeartForce Social Apostolate
The Social Apostolate volunteers from St Ignatius Church in Stamford Hill are an international, intergenerational community who provide daily meals and support for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Their work goes beyond food provision, offering warmth, companionship, clothing, and links to further support. Many volunteers were once recipients of the Apostolate’s help themselves, and now give back by serving others. By collaborating with the NHS and organizing annual fundraising challenges, the team has become a lifeline of compassion and solidarity in the local area.
Morgan Lye & Gosia Marcinek
Morgan and Gosia lead the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) at St Mary’s Church in Chelsea with dedication and deep faith. For over a decade, they have organised the Good Friends Café and annual lunches for the elderly, and also host a special Christmas lunch for the women of Caritas Bakhita House, celebrated with music, games, and gifts. Through their SVP outreach, they advocate for and serve the local homeless, distributing “Vinnie packs” with winter essentials and offering conversation and care.
School Social Action Award
Year 5 at St Mary Magdalen’s
These 60 Year 5 pupils at St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Junior School in Willesden Green put their faith in action through joyful companionship. Every other week, they serve tea, biscuits, and smiles to parishioners after Mass, taking time to talk, listen, and build friendships across generations. Their presence uplifts elderly and isolated parishioners, and has inspired younger pupils and families to engage with parish life. Through their small acts of kindness, they show that even the youngest can lead through love.
Cardinal Wiseman volunteers
Along with their chaplains, a group of 11 students from Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford supported pilgrims from Caritas St Joseph’s on a trip to Rome for the Jubilee of People with Disabilities. They showed remarkable maturity and empathy while assisting with wheelchairs, drama performances and offering companionship. Their joy, love and patience left a lasting mark on those they accompanied, and they inspired others with their spirit of inclusion and service.
Charity Volunteer of the Year Award
Joseph Daley
Joseph travels from Wales each week to volunteer at the Companions Café at St James’ Church in Marylebone, supporting people experiencing homelessness. Known for his empathy and warmth, he listens, engages, and offers comfort, making every guest feel valued. He takes care to remember guests’ names and stories, providing quiet support or a prayer when needed. His steady presence fosters dignity and belonging for hundreds each week, embodying the mission of the Companions of the Order of Malta.
Patricia Farrell
Patricia has been a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) in North Hertfordshire for 17 years, serving as president of St Hilda’s SVP for over a decade despite now being in her 80s. As part of this, she visits the sick and takes Holy Communion to the housebound, as well as running the parish foodbank and arranging social events for elderly and isolated parishioners. Her nominator says that her ‘motherly, faith-filled love’ is what sets her apart, and that she is an inspiration for younger volunteers.
Charity Volunteer of the Year Team Award
Neighbours in Poplar Volunteers
The “Neighbours in Poplar” are a group of around 60 volunteers working together in Tower Hamlets since the pandemic. Four times each week, they prepare and deliver meals to those who are isolated or in need. As well as this, they provide companionship and help with shopping and hospital visits. Their creativity and generosity help to build community in the local area, fostering friendships and showing how solidarity can transform lives and bring people together.
Radio Maria England Volunteers
These hardworking volunteers support Radio Maria’s work bringing prayer, hope and engaging programmes into homes across England. This dedicated team of on-air hosts, prayer leaders, producers, and support staff delivers over 500 live broadcasts annually to thousands of listeners, including the elderly, housebound, and those in prison. Their service enables the radio to offer connection, community and spiritual support; truly ‘a Christian voice by your side.’
Young Volunteer of the Year Award
Anthony Njoku
At just 17, Anthony has shown extraordinary leadership and care at his parish of Our Lady and St Catherine of Siena in Bow. After the tragic death of the parish MC, he stepped up and offered to train and mentor the younger altar servers. Despite his own grief, Anthony comforted others, ensuring they grew in confidence and dignity serving at the altar. Known for his concern and attentiveness, he has become a role model for his peers.
Thomas Lavery
15-year-old Thomas (left) joined the Westminster Lourdes Procession Team on this year’s pilgrimage, and immediately impressed them with his dedication and service. He facilitated processions and supported assisted pilgrims; always ready to help where needed. When a wheelchair broke during a service, Thomas volunteered to fetch a replacement from across the site, enabling the pilgrim to continue without disruption. His initiative and compassion made a real difference, ensuring that pilgrims were cared for with dignity and kindness.
Young Volunteer of the Year Team Award
2025 Lourdes Pilgrimage Redcap Team
These 65 volunteers aged 17–20 provided dedicated care and companionship to the assisted pilgrims at this year’s diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. Working through long days and the challenges of every pilgrimage, they assisted with wheelchairs, offered conversation, and anticipated pilgrims’ needs with patience, kindness, and attentiveness. Their teamwork, energy, and compassion, these young volunteers created a joyful, uplifting experience for all, embodying the true spirit of service and community.
Notre Dame de France Sandwich volunteers
Aged 14-16, this team of seven volunteers play a vital role at the Sandwich Service run by the Church of Notre Dame de France in Leicester Square, which supports around 100 people each week. Arriving early every Saturday, they prepare food, set up the space, and offer a warm welcome to guests. Their dedication, reliability, and teamwork transform a simple meal into a time of joy and connection, exemplifying love in action.
Ronald Palmer Award for Lifetime Achievement
Jacqueline Ugoala
Jackie has volunteered at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Holloway for over 40 years. A trained nurse and mother of four who has fostered over 200 children, she has been a great support to the young people of the parish, as well as offering advice to elderly parishioners and about social welfare issues. During the pandemic, she helped establish the Sacred Heart Foodbank, which now has over 600 households registered and serves 65 households eahch week.
Andrea Gibbs
A retired teacher at the local Catholic school, Andrea has devoted 38 years to the Church of the Transfiguration in Kensal Rise, founding and leading the Children’s Liturgy Group and ensuring that young people are engaged in parish life. She also organises volunteer rotas and social events, as well as visiting older and vulnerable parishioners and running community activities. Her nominator notes that her service has left a lasting impact on the people around her, whose faith has been strengthened by her example.
