{"id":53250,"title":"Local Hero Awards 2025","description":"Honoured to receive a Local Hero Award in memory of Ronan. His kindness guides our mission to protect young people and build safer communities.","content":"<p><strong>Ronan, Our Hero<\/strong><\/p><p>Earlier this month, our family was humbled to be recognised at the <strong>Local Hero Awards<\/strong>, receiving acknowledgement in the <em>Inspiration &amp; Education<\/em> category. This honour is deeply meaningful \u2014 not just for us as a family, but for the movement created in memory of our beloved Ronan.<\/p><p>The award was collected by Ronan\u2019s mother, <strong>Pooja Kanda OBE<\/strong>, on behalf of the family and campaign. Though we could not all be present, the love and unity that define our journey were felt throughout the evening.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/px8f9qlobzsywhlrvndvlqfxmpjuligpdyhv3qnr8jtfndc7.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"px8f9qlobzsywhlrvndvlqfxmpjuligpdyhv3qnr8jtfndc7.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><\/p><p><strong>A Moment of Reflection<\/strong><\/p><p>Standing among so many dedicated individuals was deeply emotional. Each story reminded us that pain can break us, but it can also transform us into something stronger and more purposeful.<\/p><p>For us, the unimaginable loss of Ronan lit a fire for change \u2014 a mission to protect young lives and build safer pathways for our children.<\/p><p>When we began this campaign, we expected <strong>nothing in return<\/strong>. Our only goal was \u2014 and remains \u2014 to honour Ronan and make sure no other family faces the pain we have endured.<\/p><p>This recognition is a tribute to Ronan \u2014 <strong>our hero<\/strong> \u2014 whose kindness, humour, and gentle spirit continue to guide our steps every single day.<\/p><p><strong>Why This Recognition Matters<\/strong><\/p><p>The Local Hero Award reflects:<\/p><ul><li><p>The power of community<\/p><\/li><li><p>The importance of lived experience<\/p><\/li><li><p>The role of education in saving lives<\/p><\/li><li><p>The ability for grief to spark change<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>It shows that when we speak with honesty and purpose, hearts open \u2014 and lives can be protected.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/sx497sygva05ztygc5ftp7hpq4vfioaypzfpoicq0cxcstuf.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"sx497sygva05ztygc5ftp7hpq4vfioaypzfpoicq0cxcstuf.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><strong>A Sibling\u2019s Strength<\/strong><\/p><p>Ronan\u2019s sister, <strong>Nikita<\/strong>, continues to be a shining force behind the campaign. Her determination, from speaking publicly to running 20km on Ronan\u2019s 20th birthday, shows how grief can be transformed into strength.<\/p><p>Nothing can break the bond between them \u2014 not even death.<\/p><p><strong>Change Through Action<\/strong><\/p><p>Through collaboration with government, partners, and communities, we helped bring forward <strong>Ronan\u2019s Law<\/strong>, strengthening protections around bladed weapons. Ronan\u2019s legacy is saving lives \u2014 and it will continue to do so.<\/p><p><strong>Our Thanks to everyone who nominated and voted for us.<\/strong><\/p><hr \/>","urlTitle":"local-hero-awards-2025","url":"\/blog\/local-hero-awards-2025\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/local-hero-awards-2025\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/justiceforronankanda.org\/blog\/local-hero-awards-2025\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1762730473,"updatedAt":1765146228,"publishedAt":1765146227,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":294530,"name":"#JusticeForRonan"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nkkwi3oyrommrvwczhj2lqswozbsvlwuxrvas66nhgkrziyp.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nkkwi3oyrommrvwczhj2lqswozbsvlwuxrvas66nhgkrziyp.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nkkwi3oyrommrvwczhj2lqswozbsvlwuxrvas66nhgkrziyp.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":35880,"title":"Open Letter Hand In to the Prime Minister at No. 10","url":"\/blog\/open-letter-hand-in-to-the-prime-minister-at-no-10\/","urlTitle":"open-letter-hand-in-to-the-prime-minister-at-no-10","division":294530,"description":"On Monday 18th September we hand delivered 10,486 signatures for our open letter to the prime minister calling for all zombie knives, machetes, AND swords to be banned.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/e46kslh4xnvvd1ghgnsgj6ywa6y9kgsiu3wn4ozvk0eh986y.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/e46kslh4xnvvd1ghgnsgj6ywa6y9kgsiu3wn4ozvk0eh986y.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":55763,"title":"A Turning Point: The National Knife Crime Centre","url":"\/blog\/national-knife-crime-center-nkcc\/","urlTitle":"national-knife-crime-center-nkcc","division":294530,"description":"For years, families like mine have been asking one simple question: How are these weapons so easy to access?Now, for the first time, there is a national effort bringing together policing, government, and communities to answer that question \u2014 and act on it.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jada35f0prurilu3a9aj7ryik44un2icp0htgvnsjxib84m5.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.3&fx=0.49835484490799&fy=0.40221792013686","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jada35f0prurilu3a9aj7ryik44un2icp0htgvnsjxib84m5.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.3&fx=0.49835484490799&fy=0.40221792013686"},"hidden":0},{"id":54144,"title":"Nikita\u2019s Run \u2013 20km for Ronan","url":"\/blog\/nikitas-run-20-km-for-ronan\/","urlTitle":"nikitas-run-20-km-for-ronan","division":294530,"description":"On 4 November 2025, Nikita Kanda completed a 20km memorial run in honour of her brother Ronan's 20th birthday. Donations will support the establishment of a charity.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/anqmhgnacl03i5peyuwib4hcphowflr4v1re4rzihc0nubb6.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/anqmhgnacl03i5peyuwib4hcphowflr4v1re4rzihc0nubb6.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}