Twelve volunteers from the Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents (LAGER Can) who have gone above and beyond in helping to keep Ealing’s streets, parks and open spaces clean have been recognised at the group’s inaugural awards ceremony.
The volunteers were honoured at the inaugural LAGER Can Legends Awards (The LALAs), held at Pear Tree Park Bistro on Sunday (21 June 2026).
More than 40 volunteers, supporters and guests attended the event, which celebrated residents whose efforts have helped make Ealing cleaner and greener through litter-picking, tackling fly-tipping and supporting the group’s wider work across the borough.
Among those attending were Richard Kornicki CBE, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Ealing, television presenter Mel Giedroyc and former Ealing North MP Steve Pound.
Those recognised were Zaynab Alawije, Livio Birratoni, Rosie Calokatsia, Katy Grant, Tricia Howey, Gayle Labib, Jean Marnell, Andy Morris, Gill Randall McInnes, Petra Shahzad, Mark Warner and Jean Wismayer.
LAGER Can said the recipients were selected for making an outstanding contribution to the group’s aim of creating a cleaner and greener borough, whether through litter-picking, supporting fellow volunteers, promoting the organisation’s work or helping to reduce fly-tipping.
Cathy Swift, chair of LAGER Can, said: “It was a challenge to choose just 12 winners from our large volunteer base. The awardees were selected based not just on their litter picking activity but on their general engagement with LAGER Can, whether by supporting others, promoting our work, helping to reduce fly-tipping and more.
“An unintended benefit of developing LAGER Can for the past five years has been to see such strong friendships forming between our members. I’m incredibly grateful to officers at Ealing Council who support our work, and to everyone who made The LALAs such a great success.”
The event also raised more than £700 through a fundraising raffle, with the proceeds helping to support LAGER Can’s future activities.
Among those recognised was volunteer Katy Grant, who said litter-picking allowed people to make a positive difference in their local communities.
Ms Grant said: “The LALAs event was brilliant – a fun afternoon was had by all. I am chuffed to bits to have received an award for my voluntary work with LAGER Can.
“I like to think I’m helping the planet in a small way by litter picking when I feel fit, for as long or as little as I like. It makes me feel good to keep our green spaces clean.”
 who have gone above and beyond in helping to keep Ealing's streets, parks and open spaces clean have been recognised at the group's inaugural awards ceremony.){kind=link}