An internationally renowned sculptor, a Team GB star, a charity CEO and former Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson were among the unsung individuals and groups to be recognised last night for their work helping to transform the lives of people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
The 2025 Your Heroes Awards saw 27 prizes handed out in front of an audience of more than 260 people, including TV stars, sporting champions and Oscar-winners.
The event, organised by University of Staffordshire, was the culmination of a six-month campaign during which groups and individuals were nominated by people within their own community.
Their moving stories were played to guests following a black-tie dinner at Festival Park’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
Three youngsters were named joint winners of the Child of Courage accolade, with Oscar-winning actress Rachel Shenton presenting their prizes. Kieran Hankin, who fundraises for charity despite having life limiting conditions, Paige Collins, who helps others despite awaiting an operation for a hole in her heart, and Skye Hemmings who at nine years old is already a carer for her mum and older sister, all had their moment in the spotlight.
Three joint winners were also announced in the Future Star category, designed to recognise young people aged 21 or under who have shown progression and growth in the last 12 months with the potential to achieve greatness in the future.
BAFTA-nominated actor Amit Shah handed over the prizes to KMF engineer Kayleigh Simm, Team GB ju jitsu star Ellie Burndred and 12-year-old fundraiser Alfie Simcox.
Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris of Voice of Hope were presented with the Inspiration in Education Award in recognition of their work raising awareness of modern slavery. TV’s Nick Hancock also presented prizes to highly commended winners Step Up To Higher Education and Kieran Pestridge.
Businessman and fundraiser Nathan Walton, CEO of Insurance Connections, received the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year Award from Olympian Jazmin Sawyers, who also presented highly commended awards to Jamie Palmer and Pat Roberts.
Nurse Joanne Blackburn, who is awaiting a kidney and pancreas transplant, was presented with the NHS Hero prize by former middleweight boxing champion Nathan Heaney. Highly commended prizes went to Sadie Bennett and the UHNM maternity team.
Mothers Mind Staffordshire was named Community Group of the Year. Councillor Steve Watkins, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, also handed highly commended prizes to Swanbank Methodist Church and Middleport Matters.
Long-serving Dougie Mac employee Lynn Parkin was named Carer of the Year. Colonel Tim Sandiford OBE, the last commanding officer of the Staffordshire Regiment, also handed highly commended carer prizes to foster carers Jock and Sue Irving and foster care support worker Marie Plant.
Fighter pilot Commander Nathan Gray presented the Uniformed Hero award to PC Bethany Cottrell and PC Natalie Millward in recognition of their remarkable bravery in the line of duty.
Firefighters Louise Ball and Ben Kelly and police officers Sergeant Andrew Hogan-Hughes, PC Martin Green and PC Luci Williams were highly commended.
Stoke City footballer Lewis Baker presented a Civic Pride Award to Lloyd Cooke, the CEO of Saltbox, in recognition of his decades of tireless hard work for Stoke-on-Trent.
Warrant Officer Greg Hedges and Sergeant Watchman VI presented a Civic Pride Award to Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE in recognition of his many years serving as the monarch’s representative in the county.
The final award, presented by representatives from Port Vale Football Club, went to internationally renowned sculptor Andy Edwards whose work included the statue of Lemmy in Burslem.
Martin Tideswell, founder and host of the awards and director of commercial strategy at University of Staffordshire, said: “We are unashamedly local and proud as we celebrate the unsung heroes from across our communities. Young and old, individuals and groups, the courageous and the selfless. The very best of us.”
The following companies have been thanked for their contributions to the awards: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, KMF Group, The Regent Theatre, Alton Towers, Crossrhythms Radio, Port Vale FC, Stoke City FC, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and World of Wedgwood.
Thanks were also extended to sponsors Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Woolcool, Potteries Educational Trust, GivEnergy, PREM Management and Shepherd PR.
