{"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":43776,"title":"Knife crime awareness event in memory of Ronan held at Houses of Parliament","url":"\/blog\/https-youtu-be-vyd-g-xe-x-8-u-si-8-v-x-kb-ve-3-cp-w-4-n-pc\/","urlTitle":"https-youtu-be-vyd-g-xe-x-8-u-si-8-v-x-kb-ve-3-cp-w-4-n-pc","division":294530,"description":"A knife crime awareness event was held in the Houses of Parliament in memory of our beautiful boy, Ronan Kanda.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3zb7nxvndhirclv7qy85qgep2hj1ve26vyd3zuinhaje1ymk.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3zb7nxvndhirclv7qy85qgep2hj1ve26vyd3zuinhaje1ymk.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":35927,"title":"Supporting the West Midlands Police Knife or Life Campaign","url":"\/blog\/the-face-of-west-midlands-police-health-campaign\/","urlTitle":"the-face-of-west-midlands-police-health-campaign","division":294530,"description":"Nikita, Ronan\u2019s big sister, has been working closely with the West Midland\u2019s police to strengthen and raise awareness of their new campaign \u201cKnife or Life\u201d to tackle knife crime.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/a1fpsvyiubi9ijvuit0bmtwvkwhox167sknxlchlhnghwofi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/a1fpsvyiubi9ijvuit0bmtwvkwhox167sknxlchlhnghwofi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":54812,"title":"24 hours in police custody special","url":"\/blog\/24-hours-in-police-custody-special\/","urlTitle":"24-hours-in-police-custody-special","division":294530,"description":"Knives, which examined the growing issue of knife crime and the online sale of bladed weapons.  The programme focused on the case of Ashraf Habimana, a 16-year-old boy from Luton who was brutally murdered, and explored how knives and other dangerous weapons have been able to be sold online and subsequently flood onto our streets. The episode also featured Ronan\u2019s story and highlighted wider concerns about the ease of access to such weapons and the impact this has had on communities across the country","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kdqhi5hq4scuhdlmxlzyrzz3fpssizoxeupysdzxlvm4vqhg.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kdqhi5hq4scuhdlmxlzyrzz3fpssizoxeupysdzxlvm4vqhg.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}