These everyday heroes aren’t doing it for recognition or reward, but their impact on communities doesn’t go unnoticed. Costa Coffee, recognising the power of these individuals, has been on a mission to find and celebrate those who deserve a little extra appreciation for all they do.
One such hero is Leon, whose inspiring story was brought to Costa's attention by his proud sister, Nicole. After experiencing a personal loss that led to struggles with his mental health, Leon discovered the transformative power of running. But when searching for a local running club he found a lack of opportunities for minority groups.
Nicole said: “After losing our Dad, Leon was really struggling with his mental health and discovered running as a way to improve his wellbeing. We are from ‘the ends’ and after a bit of research in trying to find a local running club, Leon realised that there weren’t a lot of opportunities for this in our area, especially nothing for black people or minorities.
Leon didn’t let that stop him. He decided to take matters into his own hands and founded The Nov Way, a free community running club designed to welcome those who might feel excluded elsewhere. He also launched the Run the Ends festival, a vibrant celebration of London's diverse running culture. All while studying for a masters degree and working full time.
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Now with a network of around 200 people, Leon's dedication has created not just a running group but a safe space for individuals battling mental health challenges. Nicole said: “Not only has Leon created a running group for people who felt excluded, he’s opened up a space to help those struggling with their mental health and will do anything for anyone to offer them the support they need.”
“I wanted to show him my appreciation and how proud I am for the effort he’s put into building a community that supports and shows up for each other consistently. [It] inspires me to ensure I show up for others, particularly in this society where it has become very individualistic. It’s a reminder of the importance of community and how there is strength in numbers.”
To celebrate Leon's incredible efforts, Costa Coffee put on a surprise party at his local community hall. Fully catered with delicious Costa treats and, of course, plenty of coffee, the event was a labour of love with Leon's sister and run club volunteers helping out on the plans for weeks. Nicole said: “[To say I was] relieved is an understatement because trying to keep it a secret for so long was hard … He didn’t detect a thing!”
Leon, expecting just another Monday, was stunned when his running group and family members surprised him at the finish line of their run. Costa ambassador Paul Black also presented Leon with a grant of £1000 from Costa’s Community Support Initiative to support his ongoing efforts with the club and festival. Plus, he was given a well-deserved spa day, as well as a coffee machine and a generous supply of Costa products to fuel his studies.
Leon said: “I was caught by complete surprise. I didn’t plan on dropping in today so I guess they set me up well. I’m glad that new members also got to share the moment with us too. Seeing all my family and the community gathered was special.”
So, what’s next for The Nov Way? When asked how the grant would help fuel future plans, Leon said: “[We] are focusing on expanding our initiatives and impact more of the community. Next up is our Run the Ends Festival [where] we bring together the running community to celebrate diverse running culture. It’s going into our third year and it includes a community run, panel and this year we have introduced a street race with eight of London’s finest run crews going head to head in Chalkhill Estate. Our aim is to engage the wider community and grow into Brent largest mass participation running event.”
Adam Deal, Senior Social Media Manager at Costa, said: “We were blown away by Leon’s story; the time and effort he’s put into building his running community and helping so many people is amazing to see. With all that time helping other people we’re happy to be able to treat Leon to a well-deserved spa break, new coffee machine and lots of Costa Coffee.”
Leon's story reminds us that everyday heroes are all around us, quietly making a difference in their communities. Costa Coffee's celebration of Leon is a heartwarming reminder of the power of one person's passion and dedication to create positive change.
To stay updated with all the latest news and updates, you can follow The Nov Way and Run the Ends Festival on Instagram.
Run the Ends festival, taking place on 28 September, is an annual celebration of culture, running, food and music in London. Now in its third year, this year is set to be bigger than ever. To find out more and book tickets, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Costa
The LADbible Team