Merton’s leisure and culture manager has been short-listed for the national Guardian’s Public Servant of the Year Award.
Christine Parsloe has been nominated for the award for her efforts in bringing the London Olympic and Paralympic Games to Merton last year, despite having no funding, where 147,000 people showed their support by lining the streets for the Olympic torch relay through the borough.
Her other community work includes bring a BMX track to Mitcham, which has hosted three regional events, installing beach volleyball courts, with original sand and nets from the 2012 Olympics, in a disused putting green in Wimbledon Park and helping organise the Oueen’s visit to Mitcham during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The benefits of the work have been shown this year as 37,528 young people took part in health and fitness activities at the borough's leisure centres between April and July, compared to figures for the same period last year of 19,700.
Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of Merton Council, said: "Christine Parsloe has been a fantastic ambassador for both Merton Council and the community of the borough.
"Before London 2012, Christine ensured our residents were involved from the outset, making it a very special and memorable occasion for the borough."
The four other nominations in the category are Bridget Betts, adoption activity days manager at British Association for Adoption and Fostering, Terri Cartwright, Children in Need service head at Buckinghamshire County Council, Mary Hendrick, commissioning manager for learning disabilities at Surrey County Council and Sandra Mcdermott, service development manager for Glasgow City Council.
The winner will be announced at the 10th Public Services awards ceremony on November 12.
The award is recognised as the gold standard of achievement for people working in public service teams.
You can vote for Christine by following the link register.theguardian.com/public-servant-of-the-year-2013/register/ and voting closes on October 21.
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