A charity set up in memory of former British boxing champion Gary Mason won an award for their part in London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
The Mayor of Sutton Sean Brennan chose the Gary Mason Rhythmical Empowerment Charity to represent the borough during the 1960s themed parade that started in Piccadilly and finished in Parliament Square.
They battled on through the bad weather conditions to put on their float which included a 45ft lorry carrying 15 Notting Hill Carnival themed drummers, people dressed as James Bond, the Beatles, Neil Armstrong and Doctor Who posing next to a Tardis and a Dalek.
A Routemaster Bus carried pupils from Carshalton schools All Saints Primary and Stanley Park Junior School.
The float won sixth place and £2,000 which will be donated to the mayor’s charity – Sutton Mental Health foundation.
Mason died when he was knocked off his bike during a collision with a white van in Sandy Lane South, Wallington, on January 6, 2011.
The Gary Mason charity was launched by the Roundshaw estate resident’s friends and family, and has expanded the work done by the 48-year-old’s social enterprise Rhythmical Empowerment Group.
Christine Lindsay, chairman of the charity, said: "Gary died almost exactly three years ago so the parade is a fitting tribute. We drum for Gary and the pleasure we get from it is amazing."
Sutton Mayor Sean Brennan said: "This is just an amazing achievement by everyone involved."
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