Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the three winners of its community competition, celebrating the unsung heroes of Havering and marking the naming of the London Overground Liberty line later this year.
The three winners, Lauren Hayden, Rebecca Mazrreku and Weininger Irwin, were chosen by staff working on the London Overground line due to their outstanding contributions to the local community. They have been awarded special London Overground Liberty line prizes, including a trip in a driver’s cab, a tour of a railway control centre in Romford and an invitation to see the first new London Overground Liberty line signs in place.
The name of the London Overground Liberty line is inspired by the unique history of Havering, which used to be a Royal Liberty between 1465 and 1982 and granted special freedoms to local residents. TfL encouraged Havering locals to nominate those who have gone above and beyond to support the local community to win special prizes.
Lauren Hayden was chosen as a Liberty line competition winner for going above and beyond as a mental health champion who is dedicated to tackling loneliness and creating inclusive spaces for people to flourish and grow. Lauren set up a community social group in Havering for over 55s that allows people to meet new friends, socialise in a warm environment, and take part in various activities such as chair yoga and talks from charitable groups.
TfL Image – London Overground Liberty line sign
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Rebecca Mazrreku, Chair of Elm Park Community Association, played a pivotal role in transforming Elm Park Assembly Hall from a neglected space in danger of closing into a thriving community hub that regularly hosts events including craft fairs, exercise classes, a warm hub for elderly residents and faith groups. Rebecca’s inclusive leadership, her dedication to a range of causes such as opening up volunteering opportunities to disabled people, and her resilience in the face of adversity, make her a true pillar of the community.
Weininger Irwin is the force behind ‘Cool Rowings’, an initiative in Romford that aims at improving physical and mental health through adaptive sports and rowing classes, particularly for underrepresented groups. Beyond this, Weininger supports numerous charitable causes, having raised thousands of pounds for Comic Relief and brought awareness to health issues such as prostate cancer. Weininger perfectly exemplifies an ‘unsung hero’, never seeking out personal recognition for his work but rather focusing on spreading the word about the benefits of exercise and the importance of inclusion.
Trish Ashton, Director of Rail Services at TfL, said: “The new name of the London Overground Liberty line reflects not only Havering’s rich cultural heritage but also its vibrant community spirit. Lauren, Rebecca and Weininger embody the very best of this spirit and it has been a privilege to learn about so many inspiring individuals through the community competition.”
