Brent wins £5000 in the New Year's Day Parade

Young people from Brent took part in the 26th New Year's Day

Parade and won £5,000 for the Mayor's charities.

More than half a million spectators lined the 2.2 mile route from

Piccadilly to the Parliament on January 1 to watch more than 8,500

performers, musicians, clowns and floats including marching bands,

cheerleaders and dancers representing 20 countries worldwide.

 
As part of the parade a competition was held between 19 London

Boroughs called 'The Let's Help London Challenge' with Brent coming

third and winning £5000 for the Mayor of Brent's charities - Brent Mind

and Central Mosque of Brent.

This year, entries reflected the event's twin themes of The Olympic

Games and Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Brent's entry

also focused on themes such as cultural diversity, unity and youth.

Decorated in union jack colours the centrepiece of Brent's parade,

the arch, symbolized unity. The creation was inspired by Wembley

Stadium and constructed by Brent Youth Volunteers.

Brent's diversity and young people was represented by young

dancers from Brent Youth Volunteers and Willesden Green

Mosque who wore costumes created by Harlesden based carnival

costume maker Mahogany.

The costumes symbolised the five Olympic rings, and diamonds.
Accompanying the dancers were 18 Dhol drummers from Alperton

Community School who wowed the crowd with a three hour set.