Swindon councillor Sudha Nukana has been acclaimed as an 'unsung hero' for the community work she does at the prestigious MTM awards.

The awards celebrate the contribution of diverse ethnic communities across the South West – and Cllr Nukana explained that her nomination, and subsequent win, is for work she did for others both before and after her election in the Rodbourne Cheney ward in 2021.

She said: “The nomination was for things like helping older people with their shopping during the pandemic lockdowns and help we’ve provided for homeless people, and lots of community work before the election and since.

At the ceremony in Bristol recently Cllr Nukana picked up the Paul Stephenson Unsung Hero award for the work.

Afterwards, she said: “In honour of the Civil Rights pioneer, the Paul Stephenson Unsung Heroes Award has been won by some pretty impressive people and I feel truly humbled to join this inspiring group of accomplished and talented individuals – including my council colleague Suresh Gattapur.

“I believe that we all have the power and ability to do something for our communities, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. I hope that by being accessible, approachable and above all empathic, my residents trust me to help them when they have a problem that needs solving or a query that needs answering.

“I always strive to achieve positive change in the ward and hope in some small way that through my campaigns and my casework, I have been instrumental in making lives better.

“Residents know that if they give me feedback, I will ensure their views are represented. They know that I will champion them when considering things that may affect them such as planning and licensing applications, road works, changes to bin collections and even council tax setting.

“I have a reputation of being true to my word and will never knowingly let anyone down. I believe that I have a responsibility to be a force for good both in my ward and in my town and I will endeavour to always be that force.

“When I feel the love of my family, the respect of my friends and colleagues and the gratitude of my residents, I am renewed in my motivation and more determined to be better every day at what I do. To have the ability to bring joy to people’s lives is such an honour.”