{"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":35876,"title":"Campaigning alongside Idris Elba","url":"\/blog\/campaigning-with-idris-elba-and\/","urlTitle":"campaigning-with-idris-elba-and","division":294530,"description":"On 8th January we joined forces with Idris Elba outside parliament as part of his new campaign Don\u2019t Stop Your Future (DSYF) to combat knife crime.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gkjnhru11edamiru874kmpbptkjb5qa1gwj6njfjnt9y4tby.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gkjnhru11edamiru874kmpbptkjb5qa1gwj6njfjnt9y4tby.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":50237,"title":"Hike up Mam Tor raises \u00a34554 in Ronan's name!","url":"\/blog\/mam-tor-raises-4554-in-ronans-name\/","urlTitle":"mam-tor-raises-4554-in-ronans-name","division":294530,"description":"On May 10th, friends and family joined us as we hiked up Mam Tor in memory of Ronan.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uiganksuij9svrzgytgwunfbfyabczkqv9whaznugvkb7peq.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uiganksuij9svrzgytgwunfbfyabczkqv9whaznugvkb7peq.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47825,"title":"We have been heard: Ninja swords to be banned","url":"\/blog\/we-have-been-heard-ninja-swords-to-be-banned\/","urlTitle":"we-have-been-heard-ninja-swords-to-be-banned","division":294530,"description":"Today, 27th March 2025, the home office announced \u201cIn a further move to break the cycle of young people carrying knives and to better protect the public from knife-related crime, from 1st August, ninja swords will be banned, making it illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell these deadly weapons.\u201d","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nrppfxh6cbfqfbsiqmzt5rfgzvzyg3eyhfr2akp4nd4yao5s.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nrppfxh6cbfqfbsiqmzt5rfgzvzyg3eyhfr2akp4nd4yao5s.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}