Team Biographies
Mara Makunura
Mara is a devoted wife, mother of 11 children (four boys and seven girls), community leader, and entrepreneur. She successfully balances family life with an unwavering commitment to serving her community and championing positive social impact.
She is the Founder and CEO of the Pride of Rushmoor Community Awards CIC, an initiative dedicated to recognising and celebrating the often overlooked individuals who make a significant difference within their communities.
Her passion for public service is reflected in her extensive leadership and voluntary work. She is a former Mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council, Founder of the Rushmoor Cultural Day, a School Governor, and an active contributor to numerous local initiatives. She is also a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusion through her role as Founder of the Reaching Accessibility Awareness Group (RAAG), working to promote greater understanding and opportunities for people of all abilities.
A passionate supporter of health and wellbeing, she serves as a Farnborough Decathlon Cycling Ambassador, encouraging cycling and active lifestyles across the community. She is also a qualified British Cycling coach and ride leader, helping people of all ages and abilities to build confidence and enjoy the benefits of cycling.
Before dedicating herself fully to community leadership, she enjoyed her career as a professional model, which sparked her lifelong interest in fashion and creativity. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, baking, cycling, art, gardening, and attending cultural and social events.
Known for her ability to connect people and inspire collaboration, she is deeply engaged in community development. She is passionate about bringing individuals and organisations together, creating opportunities, fostering inclusion, and making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Effie Blankson
Effie serves as Chair of Kikoi Connection, a coalition of Basingstoke’s largest Black and Minority Ethnic communities and leads Black History Month Basingstoke. Since 2020, she has directed Kikoi’s Community Achiever Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions from global majority individuals and organisations across Hampshire.
She is a creative, author, podcaster and lifelong volunteer, whose service spans decades from her early work as a teenager with The Prince’s Trust and Voluntary Services Overseas to strategic roles as a school governor and Citizens Advice Basingstoke trustee. Today, she continues her advocacy as a White Ribbon Ambassador, Cancer Research UK Campaigns Ambassador, and Co-Chair of the Basingstoke Hate Crime Awareness Group (BHCAG). A woman of faith, she mentors youth and contributes to her church’s sound team.
Effie’s work is faith-driven, purpose-led, and rooted in justice. She brings strategic insight with social justice innovation, leveraging public policy engagement and community-driven development to create lasting impact.
Sal (Salwexeya) Makunura
Sal (Salwexeya) Makunura is a dedicated community advocate and accomplished Senior Engineer with over seven years of experience in the industry. She is the second oldest of eleven children. Sal has been volunteering in her community since her teenage years.
Currently, she serves as the Secretary for the Pride of Rushmoor Community Awards, where she plays a pivotal role in administrative tasks, fostering a supportive environment, and enhancing the visibility of the awards. Sal is committed to recognising and honoring local excellence, driven by her a passion for community engagement.
Previously, Sal served as the Deputy Mayoress of Rushmoor for the municipal year of 2023/24, and the Mayoress for 2024/25 notably being the youngest in the country.
NJ
Hey, I’m Nj! Born and raised in Rushmoor, I have been involved in various local and community projects over the years, helping to improve our local area.
Waleed Khan
After retiring in 2015, Waleed fulfilled his objectives in gaining his FA Coaching Badges at the Army FA HQ in Aldershot. That led him to becoming the Academy Director at Aldershot Town FC. Under his stewardship between 2018-23, his coaching team developed three England U18 School Boys and a number Pathway Players to the 1st Team, the EFL and Sports Scholarships to the US.
Currently Waleed is the Senior Independent Director & EDI Chair at the Army FA. Along with his role as a Governor for Farnborough Grange Infant School, he continues to support the community.
Pastor Abiodun Alonge ( Abi )
Lead Pastor ( Business Administrstor )
The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Winners’ Place Aldershot
Married to Pastor Tolu Alonge (Radiographer)
Blessed with 3 Children.
Rodgers Phiri
Originally from Zimbabwe and now proudly rooted in Rushmoor, Rodgers Phiri brings a deep sense of community, resilience, and service to his role as a committee member of Proud of Rushmoor Wards. As the founder of Third Hand Healthcare Ltd, he has spent over a decade improving health and social care across the region with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable.
Rodgers is passionate about public policy, social justice, and community-led development. He actively supports local initiatives that promote dignity, opportunity, and equity for all. His journey—from building a care business from the ground up to championing unsung heroes—reflects his belief in recognising those who quietly and consistently make a difference. He is honoured to contribute to a charity that celebrates 50 years of extraordinary contributions to Rushmoor’s rich and diverse community.
Donna Bone
Donna Bone is passionate about her community. This is evidenced by the 38 years that she has worked in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. Her role as CEO of Rushmoor Voluntary Services enables her to connect with many community groups and individuals across the Borough, which is a highlight for her.
Whilst Donna has lived in Farnborough for over 50 years, she has travelled extensively and still has a long list of places she’d love to explore!
Joanne Franco
Joanne Franco has spent her career in aviation, focusing on delivering value, creating efficient processes and delivering high-quality service. She believes in the importance of working behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly and that people get the best possible experience, whether in business or in the community.
As a member of the organising committee for the Pride of Rushmoor Community Awards, Joanne is proud to be part of an initiative that celebrates the incredible contributions of individuals who make a difference locally. She is committed to ensuring the awards recognise those who go above and beyond to support and strengthen the community.
Rebecca Makaza FCCA, MBA
Rebecca Makaza FCCA, MBA – Treasurer for the Pride of Rushmoor Community Awards
Chartered Certified Accountant| Financial Educator| Speaker
Chartered accountant with over 20 years of experience in financial services &construction industry. She helps business owners with their day to day accounting services, management consultancy, business advisory, HMRC tax agent service, Self Assessment, corporation tax and final accounts.
Rebecca is passionate about Financial Wellbeing and therefore embbed in her practice is the wellbeing aspect that allows small business owners to stay on top of their numbers.
Rebecca is a mum of two and enjoys reading and running. Her favourite family activity is going on bike rides with her kids. She is a qualified practising Chartered Accountant recognised and authorised by ACCA ( Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ) and holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University
Geoff O’Shea
Geoff O’Shea is a dedicated trustee of the Knights Foundation, an organisation committed to providing essential support, sensory experiences, holidays, and equipment to disabled and seriously ill children and their families. The Foundation aims to deepen its understanding of children and young carers to tailor support that enhances their quality of life, especially for those facing significant challenges.
Geoff brings a diverse background to his role, having served for seven years in the Royal Air Force as an air traffic controller. His experience in the music industry, where he managed bands for a brief period, adds a creative dimension to his professional journey. In 2001, he founded a wealth management and tax planning consultancy, specialising in helping individuals balance their lifestyle with their financial aspirations. Through his multifaceted experiences, Geoff is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Jack Taylor
Jack Taylor an established Surrey and London-based videographer with over a decade of experience crafting high-impact visual content for some of the world’s most influential brands. His work spans a diverse range of industries, with a client list that includes Fortune 500 companies such as S&P Global, Facebook, and TikTok. Known for his cinematic style and strategic approach, Jack creates videos that not only look stunning but also deliver measurable results.
Despite working at the highest level of corporate production, Jack remains deeply committed to supporting the local business community. He continues to collaborate with small businesses, startups, and independent entrepreneurs across the area —bringing the same creative vision and production quality to every project, no matter the scale.
Offering end-to-end production services—from concept development to shooting and editing —Jack is passionate about telling authentic stories that resonate with audiences. Whether it’s a global campaign or a local brand launch, his work consistently blends creativity, clarity, and connection.
James Forster
James is a Business Development Manager as part of the Howden Insurance Brokers Commercial division, specialising in business insurance solutions for local soul traders and SMEs. He brings a wide range of experience to his role within the committee, having worked in the Private Aviation, Sports & Leisure, Software Development, hospitality and retail sectors.
Having grown up in the local area, James is committed to supporting local businesses and is proud to have such a proactive role within the Pride of Rushmoor Community Awards, as he believes local organisations are the beating heart of the community.
Michael Kurn
An international broadcaster with 15 years’ experience covering major events including the Premier League, the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and World Cups. Alongside broadcasting, he serves as a Commissioned Officer in the British Army Reserve, serving in both 165 RLC and the Light Cavalry at the Honourable Artillery Company. He also acts as Secretary of Army Reserve Football and a provides media support for the Army.
He has also held senior community and arts management roles, including being a previous local councillor in Winchester and Business Manager of Southampton Musical Society. As founder of Desire Dream Vision, he managed Oman’s 2024 Hockey World Cup project, bringing together stakeholders and delivering a major international programme. He is also a published author and keynote speaker inspiring audiences with his journey from the Premier League to Sandhurst.
Will Phillips
A Videographer and Media Specialist Expert in Sports, Football, and Corporate Events Will Phillips, founder of WilPhilms Ltd, is a skilled videographer, editor, and interviewer with expertise in sports, football, and corporate media.
A Bournemouth University Media Production graduate, Will has spent the past four years mastering visual storytelling and delivering professional, high-quality content tailored to diverse client needs.