POLICE AWARD FOR EX-CRIMINAL
Commissioner praises volunteer’s Cegin Cofi community project on estate:
AMAN who turned his back on a life of crime to help disadvantaged people in Caernarfon has received a special award from a police tsar.
Kenny Khan, 56, who was jailed for violence and dishonesty, decided to change his ways.
Now the father-of-two is a volunteer on Caernarfon’s Ysgubor Goch estate, one of the most deprived in North Wales.
Helping those who struggle to make ends meet, are unemployed or who have alcohol and drugs problems won Kenny the Community Champion award from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.
Mr Khan, a town councillor, is behind the Cegin Cofi project, which started seven years ago.
He secured funding to create a mobile food van providing affordable meals, while also giving young people the chance to learn cookery skills and obtain qualifications to help them into work.
Mr Jones said: “Kenny Khan has learned a lot from life and has massive credibility.
“The last time I met him he said he didn’t know why I wanted a picture of him because North Wales Police had plenty already.
“But his Cegin Cofi project just goes from strength to strength and he is a prime example of someone who has lived experience and is well placed to help others.”
Mr Jones urged the people of Caernarfon to acknowledge the good work Mr Khan has done by supporting Caffi Cofi.
Mr Khan joked: “The last award I had from North Wales Police was for four years.”
His work in the community has culminated in the recent opening of Caffi Cegin Cofi offering people homemade curries, fresh pizzas and breakfast.
He has also launched a Foodshare Project which redistributes food close to its use-by date from Tesco in Caernarfon.
Mr Khan praised his team of volunteers, saying: “I’m grateful for getting a pat on the back but it’s not about that for me.
“I love my hometown – I wouldn’t be anywhere else.
“I work with an amazing group of people. I couldn’t name them all because I’d be here all day.
“Yes, the cafe was my idea but it would be nothing without the team.
“Even the best ideas can’t be implemented by one person – it needs a team.
“They’re passionate and caring and the credit needs to go to them.”