A WOMAN who goes “above and beyond” to help bring a community together through a park has been nominated for an award.

Sharon Graham, of Powell Close, Edgware, has been an active member of the Friends of Canons Park group for about 15 years, joining shortly after the group was initially founded.

From organising litter clearing events to open days, the group regularly meet to discuss possible events and ways to improves Canons Park, in Edgware, with many of the meetings being hosted in her home.

This summer, she was also instrumental in organising three family-friendly events at the park, featuring fairground rides, bouncy castles and face painting.

Now, after several years of volunteering as a committee member and publicity officer for the group, she has been nominated for the Community Champion award at this year’s Harrow’s Heroes competition.

The nomination form read: “Sharon deserves an award for the efforts and time she has put in to organising and running events in Canons Park.

“The Open Garden Square Weekends is something that Sharon has been heavily involved in and has brought the scheme to the park.

“Sharon has also organised three events this month which will bring the community together to enjoy the park.

“She goes above and beyond and is passionate about the park.”

Mrs Graham will go up against a number of people who have been nominated for awards in this year’s competition, which is being sponsored by the Harrow Times, and will culminate in a glitzy awards ceremony later this year.

Speaking to the Harrow Times about the nomination, she said: “It’s lovely, as I didn’t expect it or was even aware about it, but anything that brings more publicity to the park and all the activities in it is brilliant.

“Before, the park was hardly used by the community and it was perceived as being a bit dangerous.

“Now it feels much safer, as the graffiti has gone and we’ve had the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and made some real improvements.

“There are all sorts of different activities to suit people from all backgrounds, from storytelling to yoga twice a week.”

The Friends of Canons Park group was formed in May 2003 to support Harrow council’s bid for Heritage Lottery funding to restore Canons Park to its former glory.

The bid was successful and by 2007 the work was completed, creating better pathways, repairing park buildings of historic interest, planting and maintaining trees and shrubs and restoring the George V walled Memorial Garden.

The friends continue to meet regularly and work closely with the council and park keeper Derek Roy MBE to help maintain and improve facilities in the park.

Mrs Graham added: “Getting more and more people into the park is the most important thing for us.

“With developments popping up in the area, there are many more families coming in spread across a variety of backgrounds, so we just aim to keep encouraging people to visit.”

Anyone who wants to give their volunteers recognition on social media can tweet about their accomplishments using the hashtag #shoutoutHarrow.

Heroes can be nominated for seven awards, including the Bringing People Together Award, Community Champion Award, Gold Star Lifelong Volunteer Award, Inspiring Volunteer Award and awards for young volunteers and teams.

Judges will also present one winner with the overall Harrow’s Heroes award.

The deadline for nominations has now been extended until Monday, September 7.

For information on how to nominate, visit www.harrow.gov.uk/harrowheroes