Leona Leung, who was honoured for her exceptional volunteering work in 2018 at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, was honoured by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands for her continuing work to bring the community together during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Leona, who set up a non-profit community school called United Education, also helped to found Chinese Active Citizens UK who are individuals in the local area who want to make a difference in their community. Their mission statement is to improve the lives of people living in the community.
"We help people" said Leona "and organisations to invest in local communities where it is most needed and where it will make the most impact". Chinese Active Citizens UK hold a series of events throughout the year to share learning and understand the value of intercultural dialogue. "We run community projects and events" explained Leona "to encourage community integration and raise awareness of the Chinese culture, not only for Chinese community members but also for local people".
"It is my great pleasure to wish everyone a very Happy Chinese New Year" said Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands. "The West Midlands is proud to have become a home and hub for the Chinese community. While we celebrate Chinese New Year it is right to think and be proud of the contribution of the Chinese community to our region. I personally want to congratulate Leona and everyone at Chinese Active Citizens UK for all of their hard work. Happy Chinese New Year!"
It has been estimated that the West Midlands has one of the biggest Chinese communities in the UK with a population of over 20,000 living in the Midlands plus an additional 150,000 Chinese students living across the region.
"The West Midlands is a place of great heritage and culture" explained Leona "and Birmingham and the surrounding areas like Sutton Coldfield are more ethnically diverse than the UK`s capital of London for it`s size.
For more information on Chinese Active Citizens UK please go to www.chineseactivecitizens.org.
