The Community Champion Award is awarded to individuals or groups who put the needs of others before themselves, raising funds for charity. Recognising the difference they make to the community as a whole.
The 2025 Community Champion Award is sponsored by Potters Resorts, who offer fully inclusive breaks at the UK's best resorts, including Five Lakes in the beautiful Essex countryside. Please click here to visit their website.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2025 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
After surviving a stroke 26 years ago, Tina, from Witham, turned adversity into a mission to uplift others. In 2017, she founded the Witham Hub, offering support, friendship, and vital services. She expanded her vision to set up a Braintree Hub. Under Tina’s leadership, Witham Hub became a Disability Confident Leader, promoting inclusive employment. Braintree Hub now holds Disability Confident Employer status. As Chair of the Witham Hub Charity, she ensures it serves those most in need.
Her initiatives include two community fridges, food support schemes, and mental health and neurodivergence support through groups, activities, and counselling. Tina employs 11 staff and she volunteers with Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue, enhancing community safety. She has received the Platinum Jubilee and High Sheriff Awards for her impact. Tina’s compassion, strength, and dedication make her a true community champion.
Sue, from Maldon, founded The David Randall Foundation, as a legacy for her son David who passed away at age 27 after a courageous battle with bowel cancer. The Foundation is a volunteer-run charity supporting adults in Essex with life-limiting conditions. It arranges “Good Days” through trips, outings, or simple moments that bring joy and connection. It also celebrates David’s love of music and sport by offering Scholarships and Inspirational Awards to talented individuals facing financial barriers. Over 20 major awards have been granted and the Foundation has supported more than 250 people.
Leila, from Witham, turned personal tragedy into a mission of hope. after losing her son Oscar. Leila founded Little Wings of Hope CIC just a month later to support families facing baby loss. The charity offers getaway breaks, peer support, and safe spaces for grieving families. Leila’s fundraising includes an online shop selling keepsakes and memorial items, and she’s formed partnerships with local businesses run community events. She has also contributed to the Parliamentary Group for Baby Loss, which helped gain bereavement leave for parents. Oscar’s dad, Barry, is training for a marathon, and Leila is preparing to climb Snowdon: both in Oscar’s memory.
David, from Grays, is a dedicated community leader who among other initiatives founded Get Started Art, providing free arts and crafts materials to disadvantaged children, vulnerable adults, and those with learning disabilities. His charity has distributed over 1.5 million colouring books and activity sheets to hospitals, schools, care homes, and even to Ukraine and Africa.
And through the Essex Freemasons’ Community Engagement Initiative, David mobilised 8,000 Freemasons to volunteer across the county. Their efforts supported the Trussell Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust, and NHS East of England Ambulance Service. They donated thousands of flags, bunting sets, Easter eggs, and Art Therapy books to raise awareness of dementia and children’s mental health.
David also launched the Cross Keys Community Fund, raising over £80,000 in two years to support more than 100 local charities, schools, and groups in Thurrock. His contributions earned him a place on the Mayoral Roll of Honour in 2023.
Andrew, from Colchester, is the founder and driving force behind the Buskerteers Choir, started in 2019 aiming to raise £1 million for charities through music. Andrew leads four choirs weekly and has expanded by employing six additional choir leaders, resulting in a network of 28 choirs across Essex, Dorset, Suffolk, Sussex, and Cambridgeshire. With over 1,800 active members, Buskerteers raises funds through performances, raffles, and community events.
So far the choir has raised nearly £200,000 for charities, including NHS Charities, Comic Relief, Brain Tumour Charity, Samaritans, and Breast Cancer UK. This year, the choir aims to raise £40,000.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2023 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Steve is registered blind, having been visually impaired since the age of 8. In recent years, he lost the majority of his sight, but he still manages to continue working in London. Steve has certainly not let his blindness, stop him from doing things he enjoys. He has always loved to run, and some years ago found a group of people, who wanted to be guide runners. He started, by running Park Run with them, and over recent years, he’s taken up long distance runs, gaining many medals. He’s run marathons, ultras, decathlons, and has recently participated in runs of up to 50 miles. And the last marathon he ran, helped raise funds for guide dogs.
Wife and nominator Emma, says “Nothing phases Stephen; he is an absolute inspiration, especially to our children.”
Simon’s childhood interest in comic books and superheroes, has resulted in thousands of pounds being raised for children's charities. He and his supporters, ‘The Thundersley Superhero Alliance’ dress up as superheroes, pirates, and princesses to bring much happiness and laughter, to seriously ill children, at the same time raising, much needed funds. One of Simon's nominators, Lindsey Bidwell, said: “Simon has the biggest heart and is the most caring soul, he deserves to be recognised for everything he has done for these children in need”.
Every week, Kate volunteers, and selflessly gives up her time to run a ‘Rhyme Time’ session at Epping and North Weald library. She continues the sessions throughout the school holidays bringing her young child with her. The sessions are packed. There’s lots of singing and story time, Kate makes and brings in her own resources to complement the content of the sessions. Parents of these young children are happy in the knowledge that ‘Rhyme time’ is not only educational, but a safe, fun place for their children. It also helps parents avoid isolation. Nominator Marion Coyne, herself a primary school teacher said, “I know what a huge difference starting children reading from an early age can make, to help them become life-long readers”.
Bonnie and Jerry have been tirelessly running the Brentwood food bank for many years. Working on the principle that nobody in their community should have to face going hungry, the foodbank provides nutritionally-balanced emergency food, and support to local people in crisis, who are referred to them. Bonnie and Jerry are both retired, but spend much of their time each week selflessly helping other people.
Richard Newman is the founder of K9 Pet Services. His selfless efforts, commitment, and unwavering passion in training assistance dogs, have made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals in need, in the Southend area. Through his extensive knowledge and expertise, Richard skillfully matches individuals with specially trained dogs that meet their unique needs. They assist individuals with tasks ranging from fetching items, opening doors, and providing emotional support, to alerting them to potential dangers. According to Richards nominator, Dean Nock, “By empowering those with disabilities, Richard's work fosters independence, enhances their quality of life, and restores a sense of dignity and purpose.”
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2022 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Over the years this remarkable woman has done so much for her community that perhaps she might be better known as Superwoman. She is a local swimming coach and has been for 26yrs. She helps at her local church with the children’s liturgy and the cleaning. She takes part in many charity events, including multiple triathlons, London to Southend bike rides, abseiling, pier swims, sponsored walks, Maldon mud race, duke of Edinburgh fund raising and is currently doing the lantern walk against hunger. She has been involved in rugby for nearly 30 years, where she has been vice captain, ladies manager (ongoing), vice youth chair, fixture secretary for both youth and ladies, youth coach (8 seasons), ladies coach (ongoing), webmaster and press secretary, and club captain.
Nominator Alison Kirkham said “she has been an avid supporter and leader with the Brownies for over 11 years. 4 years ago, she got involved with the Guides as their numbers had depleted to 6 members. During these 4 years the numbers have increased to 25. Much of this is down to her positiveness, encouragement, and boundless energy, above all she makes everything fun. She worked at the local primary school for many years (helping coach rugby and various other sports there). On top of all she does ‘Specks’ has raised 3 wonderful children with her husband Richard. She truly is a remarkable woman that, for as long as I have known her, has given up so much time, energy, and love, for so many people in the community, she does all this as she genuinely loves to help”.
Warren, a Type 1 Diabetic, noticed when needing help at a gym one evening that the First Aid boxes contained no medication to assist his condition. He then set about personally raising funds to be able to supply, what could prove to be lifesaving kits and medication, free of charge to venues and businesses across Essex. As a result of his meetings, he has successfully placed kits in many places including Lakeside Shopping Centre, Sea life Centre, Peter Pans playground and many others including all the Pure Gyms.
Noah Wright was born a healthy twin but aged just three he was diagnosed with a ‘Diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma’, otherwise known as DIPG. The average survival time from diagnosis is nine months. The family were put in touch with Little Havens, who explained how the hospice could support Noah, his twin sister Ella, and their parents Kat and Nick through this difficult time in their lives. Sadly, Noah was to die in 2020, aged just four years old. His family ensured that his name was to live on through ‘Noah’s Rainbow,’ fundraising for Abbie’s Army (an organisation supporting specific research into DIPG) and Little Havens, which had supported the family throughout Noah’s illness and continues to do so. Since Noah’s death, Noah’s Rainbow has raised over £14,000, for the two charities.
As Covid hit in 2020 Joy realised that the funds of Hospices would be greatly affected. With the help of her friends and neighbor’s she organised a daily street sale where passers by could purchase donated books, DVD’s, bric-a-brac, and games. What was, at first, thought of as a one-off became a regular, well supported feature. Joy has raised, so far, an incredible £7,000 for Farleigh Hospice.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2023 was sponsored by HSBC UK.
Following her own battle with Meningitis, as an adult, Tess heard of a boy ‘Eddie’ whose family needed help to get him through treatment. From this successful relationship she founded Little Edi in 2016 to support children and families desperately in need. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK, The Little Edi Foundation has worked quickly and tirelessly to respond to the needs of communities across Essex. They offer vital support to those most at risk and vulnerable. Children and young people are at the heart of Little Edi, they focus their efforts to protect the safety and well-being of disadvantaged and ‘at risk’ children. Tess is very caring and is always there for the families especially those in refuge.
For ten years Mike and Liz have opened their lovely garden in Brentwood to the public, raising funds for many charities including, among others, British Red Cross, Saint Francis Hospice and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Together with the help of their daughter, who ascended Machu Pichu and trekked the Great Wall of China, they have raised a total of more than £25,000. This year they opened the garden for the National Open Garden Scheme, they had 320 adult visitors and raised over three thousand pounds. The Aston Group of companies of which Mike is Chairman brought the total donations to over five thousand pounds by match funding the proceeds made on the day. Their nominator Richard Barker said “By sharing their garden and serving tea and cake they have raised a significant sum for good causes and shown that even an acre of land can become a little oasis”.
Tim is the founder of Essex Hackspace, a charity dedicated to meeting the educational computer needs of school children. The organisation is predominantly a community run workshop for people to share knowledge and tools. Since the second lockdown, student’s learning needs are predominantly accessed online. To fill the gap of laptop shortages, Hackspace called upon the community to donate their redundant laptops and iPads. They stripped, cleaned, repaired, and added the Windows 10 program, to enable students to access their online activities. All work was carried out by volunteers and Hackspace Trustees. They also raised funds to purchase items. They distributed equipment to the most needy vulnerable families, through schools, social workers and others, they have been able to reach over one hundred placements and people.
Ben has helped to re-build Corinthians football club from a sadly neglected state into a phenomenal family club. All done on a shoestring budget, by encouraging and engaging local help. Now the club has, in every sense of the word, been upgraded. New windows, doors, roofing, and changing rooms restored to a very high standard fit for all players. Teams start from age 4 through to Veterans. Ben spends most of his spare time there, continually improving all facilities and ensuring that the grounds and pitches are top quality. Ben and Corinthians FC have now embarked on a new development within the club providing a free children’s holiday program in partnership with Essex Youth Serviceand Stambridge Parish Council. His Nominator Parish Councilor Julie Gooding says, “Ben’s commitment and dedication has been immeasurable.”
Duncan and Elisa are Stand Up Paddleboard Instructors, based in both Leigh-on-Sea and Papermill Lock. Over a number of years these guys, along with the community that they have brought together, have worked tirelessly with the local waterway authorities and Essex County Council to build a safe environment for people to learn to paddle whilst teaching them to understand and respect the locals and the resident wildlife. Every month they clean sections of the river Chelmer in great detail removing all sorts of harmful nasties and rubbish, most recently including a washing machine! On top of this they unselfishly train their members for free, in all aspects of safety and technique to perform the individuals chosen discipline of the sport. In June this year they carried out a fundraiser event raising over £5000 for Cancer Research.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2020 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer 10 years ago which spread to her liver and is currently still in her lungs. Throughout the treatments, chemo, operations, she still managed to put everyone else first. She’s been a speaker at many ‘race for life’ events to encourage people experiencing the same journey to never ever give up! Karen is a true example that with a positive attitude you can achieve whatever you believe. She has the Merry Meades Tearoom in Brentwood where she runs events to donate back to charity and the community. Since being diagnosed she has devoted her life to raising awareness and money for Cancer Research UK.
Lee Clark, and his two lovely daughters Isabelle and Emily have done a great deal of fund raising for deserving causes. Dad runs marathons, and the girls have so many charity actions; from bucket collections and cake sales to sleeping out rough to raise money and awareness for the homeless. They even turned down a day out to Chessington World of Adventures with their siblings so that they could fundraise. Together the family have raised more than Fifty Thousand pounds for deserving causes. Dad Lee says that he couldn’t be more proud of the girls and that goes double with how the girls feel about their selfless father.
It all began a few years ago when Jamie ran the London Marathon and used the money he raised to provide a Christmas Lunch for the elderly and lonely in his area. Since then he has, with his own money, dressed his house as a Christmas spectacular. Each year the attendance grows and grows, residents now contact him to ask when the lights are going to be switched on. Jamie continues to develop new ideas to increase the money he raises for local causes. He’s had Reindeers, Father Christmas on a sleigh, a Santa's Grotto and the local Town Brass Band. He has extended the decorations into his neighbours gardens and even has installed snow machines. His young family of four dress up and sell festive treats, and with the aid of a wishing well raise considerable sums of money for local charities
Pamela can often be found, with her band of volunteers, selling donated items at Christmas fairs, or on a stall at Community markets or sometimes even on her own lawn. She has raised thousands of pounds on behalf of ‘Kids Inspire’, an Essex charity which supports children and young people recovering from traumatic experiences or dealing with emerging mental health difficulties.
The charity manager of ‘Kids Inspire’, Paula Ashfield, says, “Although advanced in years Pamela turns up in all weathers. She is a great ambassador for our charity. Always ready to spread the word to attract new supporters. Pamela is both a great asset to us and the community of Essex.”
For more than ten years this generous couple from Grays have been working and volunteering for the charity ‘Clowns in the Sky’. A charity dedicated to the research and treatment of childhood brain tumours and to the welfare of affected children and their families. They have raised thousands of pounds, being prepared for almost anything from cycle marathons to personally doing sponsored Fire-walks. Their nominator, Charity development officer Donna Byrne, says of them “They are an amazing couple who have raised lots of awareness for the charity, as well as lots of money. They are totally supportive, and will always offer to lend a hand. These two really deserve recognition as they have their own family, jobs and life and yet give so much to us”.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2019 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Jane is the chair of the ‘Relay for Life’ team in Clacton, a volunteer led community event, which raises vital funds for Cancer research UK. There are 46 such events that take place across the UK. ‘Relay For Life’ Clacton can be proud of the boast that they were the biggest of the events this year in England and Wales. Not bad for a small seaside town in Essex! Led by Event Chair Jane Smith, the committee, has worked tirelessly to grow ‘Relay For Life’ Clacton since its inception in 2010, their hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. They live and breathe the charity all year round, and never miss an opportunity to talk to people in their local community about the event and the work of Cancer Research UK, whether they are queuing up in the supermarket, or doing one of their many bucket collections. Year after year, this community event keeps growing; local people even plan their holidays around it! In its first year it raised £24,500, just 9 years later in 2019 it raised over £172,000.
The total raised Since Jane and her team begun is over nine hundred thousand pounds. At the event ball this year Jane excitedly said over the microphone ‘this time next year Rodney, we will be millionaires.’
For over fifteen years John has worked non-stop in trying to unite the fractured community. He has been instrumental in making the future regeneration of Purfleet a reality. Thurrock Council have, at last, approved outline planning for a one billion pound regeneration scheme. John and the community forum have worked tirelessly over the past four years to bring this scheme to fruition. As well as chairing the forum John is a trustee of a charity working in the area, to support children and young people from toddlers to teenagers. All of this whilst he and his wife continue to act as foster parents to many children.
A few years ago Brightlingsea outdoor swimming pool was neglected and expected to close. Thanks to the hard work of local people and town councilors, the pool was taken over and given charity status. Brightlingsea Lido was formed, all work done on a volunteer basis by a team of trustees. Sarah is one of these trustees. She has devoted an incredible amount of time and effort in order to get the pool back up and running in 2018. Thanks to the success of that first summer season a cafe has now been developed. The lido is now a safe place for the community to visit, as well as a great family environment, providing swimming locally in a beautifully maintained 50 metre outdoor pool. Promoting a healthy wellbeing and a great community spirit, the lido is a blessing to the town bringing in tourists from miles away.
Sarah Brown's nominator, Lizzie Merrell says: “Sarah has so much drive and passion. She personally devotes at least 20 hours of voluntary time every week to keep the establishment running. She is humble, modest and works very hard, receiving not a single penny. All of the trustees have put enormous effort into this project, but Sarah is the face that we see working every day, sometimes as a lifeguard and devoting serious hours to make sure the lido survives and makes Brightlingsea such an amazing place to live.”
Paul’s heart attack in 2010 left him unable to continue working at power stations as an Electrical Engineer on heavy-duty transformers. Paul, more used to a busy working life, started volunteering with CHARMS, The Essex Therapy Centre. He uses his skills every Friday operating the Hyperbaric Oxygen system. He is also a volunteer for Chelmsford Centre for the Blind. He is a volunteer Marshall for both the ‘Walk of Life’ and the ‘Santa Fun Run’ fundraising for Farleigh Hospice. Paul is also a fundraising volunteer for Essex Air Ambulance. Paul and his friend Mick regularly run quizzes to raise funds for charity. Performing, without charge, for ‘Support 4 Sight’ and a residential home. Paul is a member of the ‘Chelmsford Men's Shed’ where, with other members, he collects unwanted pallets to transform into things such as garden benches and planters that bring money back into the organisation. Paul also helps to provide a weekly lunch for homeless people. His nominator Dr. Benjamin Newman Wright said: “Paul is someone who should be recognised for his ability to cope with a serious health condition while giving all he can to others. He goes the extra mile to undertake so many charitable roles”.
Aidan, a serving Metropolitan Police Officer, works tirelessly within the voluntary sector for a number of charitable organisations and community groups as well as the PARC organisation, the specialist Play And Resource Centre in Braintree, where his son, Luke attends. Aidan has raised many thousands of pounds for PARC, he has run, cycled, abseiled from ridiculous heights and organised a great number of events, most recently a successful big band concert.
He is also heavily involved with local heritage groups, one of which is building a steam train from scratch, helping to raise much needed funds for them, as well as other charity and preservation groups. Aidan is active in his local church, and a qualified football referee, always available to help local youth teams in order that the kids get an opportunity to enjoy sport.
His Nominator Mark Allen said: "I am frankly in awe of this man and would love to see his efforts recognised, he deserves it in recognition of the help that he, his family and other families have received."
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2018 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Since 1999, Keith has raised over £40,000 for charities including Macmillan, RNLI, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, and Save the Children. From cycling challenges and football matches to rock concerts and coffee mornings, Keith has organised over 50 creative events to support these causes. His commitment extends internationally, raising €12,000 for children in Vilnius, Lithuania, and even bringing children from an orphanage there to England for their first holiday.
Keith’s impact doesn’t stop at fundraising. As a devoted family man, he adopted his grandchildren after the tragic loss of his son, Danny, and continues to inspire others by coaching athletics and leading fitness challenges. Whether pushing a red barrow up mountains or involving his community in charitable events, Keith’s humility, creativity, and unwavering support for others make him an inspiration to all.
Michelle, from Harlow, is the founder of "Aspire Support Learn" (ASL), a service dedicated to supporting young adults with learning and physical disabilities. ASL started as a day center for just two individuals and has grown significantly, now providing care for eighteen young adults. In addition to the care services, Michelle recently opened a Tea Room that not only offers delicious homemade food but also provides valuable employment opportunities for those with additional needs. The Tea Room has quickly earned a reputation for its friendly, uplifting atmosphere and excellent service.
Michelle's dedication to expanding ASL doesn't stop there; she is working towards securing larger premises to further enhance the facilities, allowing ASL to serve even more young adults in the Harlow area. Her vision includes creating a larger day care facility, expanding the kitchen, and developing a sensory area, all designed to help her clients thrive. Michelle's passion and commitment to improving the lives of young adults with additional needs have made a lasting impact on the local community, and she continues to work tirelessly to turn her vision into a reality.
John, from Tollesbury, is a true community champion whose dedication to charity and local causes has transformed his hometown. Since founding "Tollfest" in 2002—a music festival honoring those lost to cancer—John has raised over £40,000 for charities like Cancer Research, Macmillan, MS-UK, and local causes. His tireless efforts have also funded equipment for the local football team, recreational ground, schools, and community projects. Through music nights, sporting events, and Tollfest, John has united his community while making a tangible difference.
A devoted father of three and football team manager, John gives countless hours to his village, inspiring younger players and strengthening community bonds. His humble, selfless passion has created enduring opportunities for Tollesbury while supporting vital charities.
Danie, from Flitch Green in North Essex, is the founder of The Pink Purse Project, which she established in 2017. Through this initiative, she has provided over 250 women with hygiene and sanitary products and works closely with homeless outreach groups across Colchester, Basildon, and Chelmsford, personally funding and organising the collection and distribution of clothing, bedding, and food. Danie also works on securing housing for homeless individuals, including plans to house people aged over 55 in Great Dunmow. Her efforts extend to fundraising for food banks, organising donation drives for children's clothing, and providing direct help to those in need.
Despite facing her own health struggles, including chronic pain, Danie is unwavering in her commitment to helping others. She is known as "the tampon lady" for her trusted and discreet assistance to women in need. Whether it's delivering essential supplies or ensuring a local playgroup remains open, Danie tirelessly supports her community and serves as an inspiring role model. Her dedication to others, despite her personal challenges, makes her a pillar of strength and support in Essex.
Nigel, from Tolleshunt D'Arcy, is the driving force behind "Secret Hamper," a business founded on the principle of spreading kindness throughout Essex. With a strong community focus, Nigel has raised over £10k for Farleigh Hospice and united more than 170 local businesses in support of various causes. His latest campaign, "NHS70," celebrates 70 years of the NHS by bringing together local businesses to honor the unsung heroes at Broomfield Hospital. Nigel’s efforts continue to make a significant impact, and he plans to expand his outreach to 70 hospitals across the UK, further cementing his dedication to making a positive difference in communities.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2017 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Daniel is part of the Essex Police Major investigations team. He works a huge amount of hours dealing with very serious and difficult crime. Daniel and his wife, who also works in murder investigations, often have to juggle their time to organise the childcare of their family. He also manages somehow, to run a charity focused boxing and fitness centre in Chelmsford where he has started a gang diversion program in the gym, giving free training to boys and girls who are at risk of gang involvement. Danny is known in the force as ‘Danny Box’. Few people outside of the police force know that over the last 6 years, through boxing events, he has raised over £160,000 for disabled children in Essex.
Lindsey is a self-employed fitness instructor who, whilst running her own company ‘Shimmy and Groove’, unselfishly raises funds for needy charities, in particular, at present, ‘Kids Inspire’. She is also constantly looking to help individual people, especially by raising money with various events. The latest example is the story of a boy with a cancer, untreatable in the UK, who she has helped to raise money. His desperate family, have the near impossible task, of raising £145,000, for his treatment in America. Lindsey has so far raised a massive £25,000 on their behalf.
Following the immense care her daughter Katie, and her family received, Dee became a volunteer community champion of Little Havens Hospice. In 2016, after Katie passed away, Dee began fundraising, starting with (as you would) a wingwalk! It raised £2000. Her powerful speeches since at corporate and community events have raised thousands more for other families who rely on Little Havens. Dee herself is quoted as saying, “Little Havens has been my lifeline from the first day of Katie's treatment right through to her final breath. I will forever feel passionate about raising money, awareness and support for this special place... Katies’s second home, for as long as I’m able.”
In 2014 Shelley’s baby son Fraser was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which over time leads to paralysis and a short life expectancy of just 25 years. Currently there is no treatment or cure. As well as working full time, and running her home and family, Shelley works tirelessly as an advocate for the Duchenne community, spreading awareness and ensuring people get to hear about the condition. What an inspiration she is. In June this year, to give her son a feeling of physical achievement, she climbed Mount Snowdon carrying 4 year old Fraser all the way... on her back! What’s more in the process she raised an amazing £12,000 for research. Shelley’s husband Geoff who nominated her said, “Shelley is unstoppable in her mission to make a difference for other families.”
Sarah suffers from multiple physical conditions such as Dystonia and Fibromyalgia, the physical problems of which have led her in the past to deep bouts of extreme depression. As a result she doesn’t enjoy going to new places or meeting new people. Physical activity can leave her exhausted.
However, on Sunday 3rd September, helped by her sister Jess, she completed the parallel London 5K challenge. She raised a huge amount of money for her charities, which more than doubled her target. Sarah was nominated by Jen Hebenton of MIND who says,“Sarah overcame physical, as well mental obstacles, even putting herself forward for the challenge was a massive achievement. She has come an extremely long way already, we at MIND are exceptionally proud of her and the amount of money she has raised to help us continue to provide our vital services”.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2016 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
After almost 50 years of cycling for charity, last year his wife Edna told him, that having had a triple by-pass, shortly followed by a knee replacement, his charity cycling days were over. But as Geoffrey says ‘I already had one booked and that was it. I’m not very quick now, but I can keep going and will eventually get there.’ So he joined the young cyclists on his last London to Paris ride and rode more than 350 miles over four days. Geoffrey received a British Empire Medal in the 1980s for his charity fundraising, not surprising when you learn that he has raised more than £150,000 for good causes.
Mehmet owns a Café Pizzeria in Harlow, where he has been in business for 25 years. His daily route to work meant that he drove twice a day past the St. Clair Hospice. He often heard his customers talk of the good work they do. So when he reached his 50th birthday last November he decided to give something back to the community to help them. He called into the Hospice and asked if they would like him to take a sponsored bike ride. He began in January and then spent the next 8 weeks pedalling 70 to 100 miles each day through 8 different countries from Harlow to Ankara. No support vehicle, no friends to accompany him, just him and his bike. He raised five thousand pounds for the hospice. Mehmet certainly celebrated his birthday in style!
Paul is from Stanford-Le-Hope where in May of last year he began an area fundraising page, to get together a team to raise money for local charities. Cleaning cars, Packing shopping bags, running quizzes and auctions Paul and the team have, in such a short time, raised the staggering sum of over £20,000. The money has been used for, among other things, much needed funding for physio sessions, helping the recovery of sick children, and funds for a hearing and impaired vision unit at a local senior school. Over the Easter period the group collected enough chocolate eggs to supply both a local hospice for the elderly and hospitalised children, bringing lots of smiles and happiness. He is an avid collector and distributor of unwanted clothing and items of food, which he collects and delivers to the homeless people of Basildon. Paul is now planning a disco and raffle; his target is to raise enough money to buy presents for patients staying in Basildon hospital over the Christmas period. His nominator said, "Paul is not for the glory, but the happiness of others."
John has been bringing groups of Davenant School students to ‘Epping Race for Life’ for eleven years. He consistently manages to recruit a team of twenty or so enthusiastic volunteers. They arrive on site six hours before the start and immediately get stuck in, with the physically demanding chores of setting-up. Taking responsibility for key tasks such as volunteer registration, signage, flags, marshalling, administration and closing down. John’s hard working group usually remain onsite until around 10pm or until every last piece of litter has been picked up, they never fail to give less than 100% in their effort. John has become the voice, in the school, of ‘Cancer Research’ and ‘Race for Life’, engaging the support of a large number of students and their friends and families. As a result of the experience and the awareness brought to them during their time with John many of these young people go on to continue volunteering for Cancer Research.
His Nominator says, “Everywhere you look on race day, Davenant School students are working tirelessly to make sure of a successful day. We couldn’t do it without them, they are the life and soul of the team and have helped us to raise an incredible £1.5 million through the event.”
This is a special case. It’s the first time, in this category, that sisters have been jointly commended. PAM WITHERINGTON and BRENDA BAILEY, from Rayleigh, began their first fundraising event in 1984; they raised £200 for Southend Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit. The charity bug bit, and over the years, in addition to annual charity balls, they also raised money with other activities, as varied as, fashion shows, trekking in Iceland (the Country not the store!) and skydiving. They have also completed 10 Moonwalk marathons walking 26.2 miles around London during the night, wearing their brassieres outside their tops, raising money for breast cancer. All done whilst working full time and raising families of their own. At the last count the money they have raised totalled in excess of £70,000.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2015 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Melanie's daughter Molly was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour when aged only eight. During the six months following her diagnosis Molly wrote a book 'Adventures of Ella Rose' the copies of which raised £3000 for Little Havens. Spurred on by Mum Melanie, she also ran in the race for life. Molly passed away during September 2010. Despite her sadness, four months later, Melanie began fundraising herself for Haven House, helped in no small way by her other daughter Bella. She has now raised an unbelievable £100,000. Melanie has also fundraised extensively for Cancer Research and Brain Tumour Charities. Her nominator said of Melanie, "In the face of tragedy she has been determined to help others deal with the heartache that she has experienced. Her commitment and energy continues to astound everyone who meets her."
Mr Ashraf Patel is the associate specialist in Breast Disease at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Epping, and The Princess Alexandra in Harlow. He has for 18 years been involved in clinical research to enhance both treatment and care. 12 years ago he took over the responsibility for The Breast Unit Charity. He has overseen hundreds of fund raising events… Cake sales, Black Tie Balls, Party nights, Half marathons, Golf, Tennis, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Abseiling, Bike riding, Sailing and Bucket collections. He regularly gives up his own holiday to compete in physically challenging events, from Everest and Kilimanjaro to the Inca Trail. Under his guidance this year funding reached the £2 million mark. His nominator says, “Ashraf’s determination and passion to successfully help to prevent this life threatening disease, never ceases to amaze all those who know him.”
Isobel Parmenter from Colchester became sick shortly after her first birthday. Leading to harrowing treatment, and investigation, at three hospitals, Colchester, Addenbrookes and Great Ormond Street. Eventually she was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Histiocytosis. Sadly, ‘Izzy’ passed away in October last year, having lived a short and painful life of only 22 months. To help them cope with their grief, and inspired by their brave daughter, parents Michael and Suzanne turned to charity work for HistioUK. The charity supports children, adults and their families, who have to cope with this terrible disease. Mike ran the BUPA 10 mile with a team of nine, as well as the Cancer Research race, this time with a team of 53 ladies! They have already had one charity barn dance and plan a charity ball in February next (Some tickets are still available!) The sum they raised now exceeds £7,000 and is rising daily.
Richard Barker almost died of an infection when only nine years old. Thankfully experimental treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital saved him. The heavy drugs took their toll leaving him with ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’. Aged 16 and feeling a little better, he decided to give something back by raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital. He didn’t stop there, for the last twelve years he has raised funds for many other charities including; Help the Heroes and Haven’s House Hospice. Richard uniquely collects, and scrounges, for auction, signed memorabilia from celebrities. His Mother Anita told us that he initially set a target of raising £30,000 in 30 donations by his thirtieth birthday. At the time she wrote to us this one appeal alone had raised over forty six thousand pounds…. and is still rising.
Ian Southgate is from Southend. He has raised many thousands of pounds over the years for various charities. Last year he devised his own social media challenge... NOWMOWNATE... Men were asked to pay for the privilege of being photographed naked in their gardens, with conveniently placed garden implements protecting their modesty... as you can imagine it raised a lot of fuss... more importantly it raised a lot of money as well. This year Ian has continued fund raising for Leukemia Research, in the name of his pretty grand daughter Hattie. Hattie’s Hero’s were created, they now wear bright orange wristbands. Ian managed to persuade many of the hero’s to perform ‘Hattie’s Hakka’ on social media, among them was England rugby captain Kyran Bracken. Ian’s war dance against Leukemia has raised over one hundred thousand pounds so far this year. Ian’s new target is to encourage as many people as possible to get on the donors list for bone marrow transplant... we wish him every success.
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2014 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Nicola has devoted her life to Guiding and Brownies. She has for several years been division and district commissioner, as well as being a mentor, trainer and county going away advisor. She is also Quartermaster and first aid trained. What’s more she has been totally involved for 33 years! She is also a record holder! We occasionally receive more than one nomination but in Nicola’s case we received an unprecedented EIGHTEEN nominations. Here are just a few of the comments they made about her:
"She never asks for thanks or praise and does everything unselfishly."
"Always puts others before herself and does all this with a smile."
"She is an inspiration to everyone that meets her."
"She does so much for the children whilst also holding down a full-time job."
"Like a second mum to them. Very thoughtful and caring, a model citizen and a role model for the girl’s. She is more than a Brown Owl, she is a prime example of Girl Guiding at its finest."
Eunan is the secretary of Springfield Football Club. For the last ten years he has organised and raised much needed funds for over twenty teams. The teams are mainly children but also include adults and girls teams. A serious lung condition meant hourly oxygen treatment until a lung transplant operation was performed at Papworth Hospital in 2013. Since 2012 he has raised over £21,000 for the football club and in addition managed to raise funds for many other charities including The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Springfield football club are delighted to say that Eunan now appears well and continues working unpaid on their behalf.
Eight year old Louis Cooper from Southend-on-Sea was a healthy boy in 2004, sadly he was soon to be diagnosed with a brain tumour which led to his premature departure during 2006. His family, father Darren, Mother Nicola, and sister Grace, were so impressed and comforted by the care they received from Little Havens Hospice they decided to keep Louis memory alive by fundraising through a tribute fund set up in his name. In the eight years since Louis passed away Darren and Nickola have raised over £20,00. They continue to be volunteers for Little Havens, giving inspiring and moving talks, sharing their story of how the charity supported them along their journey, and encouraging others to back the hospice.
Jason is a trustee of ECF. The Bartella family are well known in Essex since opening 35 years ago Pontlands Park Hotel in Great Baddow and Dukes Nightclub in Chelmsford. Their business’s, have helped shape and influence the lives of many Essex folk. Heritage Leisure, as they are known corporately, have over the last eight years deposited more than £500,000 to the Essex Community Foundation. More than £300,000 has been distributed to worthy causes in sums ranging from £500 to £9,000 such as PARC (Play and Resource Centre) Braintree, providing support to families with children of special needs, to Nuns at Melbourne Chelmsford who teach children how to cook.
Fifteen years ago John lost his brother in law to cancer. He vowed to do three things in his memory. First was to organise a golf day, second was to raise £10,000 in one day and finally he set himself a target to raise a total of £100,000 for the Helen Rollanson Cancer Charity. Through Colne Valley Golf Club John has acheived all three targets, in fact he has now raised over £150,000. His nominator from the charity says "John has been a wonderful supporter to the charity, we are very proud of him and his hard work on our behalf. He fully deserves recognition as a Community Champion".
The Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2013 was sponsored by Potters Resorts.
Katie was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with brain cancer and was given months to live. She was given a piece of news that no teenager should ever have to hear and yet, Katie continued to show courage and kindness throughout her illness. Katie had a courage and faith that was very special and an important part of her life. She once spoke to a packed church full of friends and family and told them, “Don’t worry, because I know I will go straight to Heaven. Heaven is a beautiful place. The most perfect place I can ever imagine. Jesus will be there and I won’t be suffering anymore with my illness- so don’t panic I’ll be fine.” It was that faith and courage in Katie that gave her the strength to defy Doctors and go on to live for 14 months with her cancer.
In September 2008, just six months after Katie died, Katie’s family set up a cricket match in her memory, where on a gloriously sunny day, friends and family came together to celebrate Katie’s life and raise money for the hospice that cared for her. The event raised £4,300 for Little Havens Hospice and the fundraising group ‘Friends of Katie’ was born. Since 2008 nearly £70,000 has been raised for Little Havens Hospice.
Euan is the secretary of Springfield Football Club. For the last ten years he has organised and raised much needed funds for over twenty teams. The teams are mainly children but also include adults and girls teams. A serious lung condition meant hourly oxygen treatment until a lung transplant operation was performed at Papworth Hospital in 2013. Since 2012 he has raised over £21,000 for the football club and in addition managed to raise funds for many other charities including The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Springfield football club are delighted to say that Eunan now appears well and continues working unpaid on their behalf.
Julie had done some voluntary counseling for Farleigh Hospice and felt that there was no where for widowed people to go on in order to help them come to terms properly with their loss, so she founded ‘Moving On’ to provide a social outlet where they could meet and take part in events, without feeling they were on their own. Julie started the group in September 2011 and spread the word via small adds in local papers leaflets and in places like libraries. She was fortunate to be given an interview on BBC Essex. There is no age limit although most members are over 60 and as statistics tell us, there are more women than men around. There are 160 members with new ones joining all the time and there is a monthly meeting in the British legion hall in new London road Chelmsford, usually the 3rd Saturday in the month. Julie has recently started a group in Braintree.
Billericay Round Table raise in excess of £50,000 a year, which they give away to local deserving causes, clubs, charities and individuals. They are a group of 'normal' chaps who meet up at least twice a month for social events and to try and 'donate' the cash they've raised to the most deserving causes. They've supported about every local Hospice, Youth Organisation... Scouts, Cubs, Football, Boxing, Sailing Clubs, the Schools, Hospitals and numerous individuals... There just isn't enough space to list it all... Round Table is International with many thousands of members. Every year around 5th November Billericay Round Table organise a spectacular firework event to help raise even more money for charity.
The Essex Chapter GB Harley Riders are a great group of people, whilst enjoying their amazing bikes, they make an enormous effort to support local charities and have been doing so since 1992.
The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity has been fortunate enough to be their charity of the year over a four year period. In this time they raised much needed funds and turned out to many of our events where they are so popular with the public. Each year we hold a Vintage Fayre at Cressing Temple Barns and one of the highlights for members of the public is to look at the wonderful Harley Davidson bikes, children also love to sit on them and have their photo taken. The group have also turned out for our collection day in December, which we hold in Chelmsford. This year the Chapter is supporting Essex Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes.
Claire and Ken used to take their daughter Lucy to Chigwell Riding School where she enjoyed her weekly sessions. In 2003 they generously purchased a horse named Dylan for the School and he has given thousands of disabled children many happy hours, he is one of the most reliable and calm horses in the yard. Claire and Ken have also help raise money for Chigwell Riding Trust and over the years have raised over £85,000 by holding golf days and helping with many other events.
Nominations for the 2025 Pride of Essex Awards are now closed.
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