{"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":41080,"title":"Sir Keir Starmer announces Ronan's Law","url":"\/blog\/sir-keir-starmer-and-idris-elba-meet-with-the-families-of-knife-crime-victims-to-discuss-labours-plan-to-tackle-the-issue\/","urlTitle":"sir-keir-starmer-and-idris-elba-meet-with-the-families-of-knife-crime-victims-to-discuss-labours-plan-to-tackle-the-issue","division":294530,"description":"Sir Keir Starmer and Idris Elba met with us and other families of knife crime victims on Tuesday 25th June to discuss Labour's plan to tackle knife crime.  Labour also announced a new law, Ronan\u2019s Law, which will see ninja swords added to the ban on the sale of machetes and zombie knives.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ug0rrxim9vlzwmzzpc4r7aacylo3zxqtwwwvvg6ksqqfguoc.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ug0rrxim9vlzwmzzpc4r7aacylo3zxqtwwwvvg6ksqqfguoc.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":54049,"title":"Licensing system consultation","url":"\/blog\/licensing-system-consultation\/","urlTitle":"licensing-system-consultation","division":294530,"description":"Ronan\u2019s Law was introduced to close dangerous loopholes in the online sale of knives.  It strengthened age verification, delivery checks, and accountability across platforms.  But as important as this progress is, it was never meant to be the final step","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wv687ns6a43yijvbdd6vb0nztgph2xyymwbywlhmzrsucqgs.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=2.3642904215466&fx=0.46702572417565&fy=0.78852005851594","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wv687ns6a43yijvbdd6vb0nztgph2xyymwbywlhmzrsucqgs.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=2.3642904215466&fx=0.46702572417565&fy=0.78852005851594"},"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":[]}