Annual Jack Petchey Awards Evening for the 2024 Winners
On the evening of Thursday 13th February 2025, winners of Jack Petchey awards from across Harrow schools and clubs, descended on the Harrow Arts Centre in Hatch End for their very special, glitzy awards evening.
Each winner enjoyed their own personal moment of fame as they individually received their award on stage, accompanied by the bright lights and uplifing music such an event deserves. It was very special and memorable evening for the recipients and their friends and family who had come along to cheer and applaud their amazing achievement.
Our student Achievement winners in 2024 were Samuel C, Esteban GS, Aida P, Sebastian B, Aryan B, Marius CV, Melissa N, Vea P, Roksolna G and Anjola A.
Francesca B received a special Environmental Award and our Leader Awards were presented to Ms Archana Kunaseelan and Mr Ben Wardle.
Very well done everyone and we are extremely proud of you all.
The evening also saw several fantastic dance performances by members of our Canons Dance Crew. They were amazing and represented our great school so well. Excellent job girls!
Huge congratulations again to all our amazing winners and our fabulous dancers.
Who was
Jack Petchey?
Sir Jack Petchey CBE
1925 - 2024
Sir Jack was an incredible inspiration to everyone who works at the Foundation.
Even at 98 he was taking an active interest in the running of the charity, as do the rest of his family who share his vision.
Sir Jack sadly died on June 27th 2024 as he approached 99!
He was born into a working class family in the poorer East End of London in 1925, left school at 13 and then joined the Navy in 1943 as World War II raged. After leaving the Navy, he began working as a clerk for a solicitor’s firm. He applied for management training but was told he would never make a businessman.
Instead of giving up, Sir Jack used the £39 he was given from the Navy to buy a second hand car and started a taxi business. Through hard work and innovative thinking, he proved them wrong and built a multi-million-pound empire.
Sir Jack’s experiences led to his passion to increase young peoples’ aspirations by rewarding their achievements.
In 2016, Sir Jack received his knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his many years of charitable work.
“Some people say I’ve been lucky, but a lot of success is about having courage to make decisions and take advantage of opportunities."