The search is on for Bedford’s Everyday Heroes, and if you know someone who makes Bedford Borough better simply by being who they are and doing what they do, now is the time to shout about it.
Nominations are continuing to come in for the 2025 Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards, celebrating the people who go above and beyond to support their communities.
The ones who do the graft, offer the support, raise the money, show up when it counts and rarely ask for anything in return.
Now in its sixth year, the awards are once again held in partnership with The Harpur Trust, who continue to champion the people making a difference in Bedford Borough.
The 2025 awards, hosted by Bedford School at our venue sponsor, The Quarry Theatre in Bedford, will take place on Thursday, 7 May.
Nominees, supporters, and community leaders will come together for an evening of celebration to recognise those who make Bedford Borough brilliant.
The Harpur Trust is also sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year category, which helps to recognise someone or a group who tirelessly volunteers for a charity or good cause within Bedford Borough.
We all know we couldn’t do without obvious helpers like school governors; there are hundreds of people out there who don’t even realise they are volunteers but give their time for free every week to help others.
Whatever they do, we want to hear about how they’ve helped make Bedford a better place in their free time.
Nominate a Bedford Independent Everyday here
Lucy Bardner, The Harpur Trust’s Community Programmes Director, said: “We’re thrilled to headline sponsor the Everyday Heroes Awards once again, in partnership with the Bedford Independent.
“Each year, we’re reminded of the incredible hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes in our community.
“What makes these awards so special is the diversity of nominees. Every year we discover new individuals and organisations who quietly go above and beyond to help improve people’s lives.
“These are the people who don’t seek recognition, yet their efforts have a lasting impact on so many people across the borough.
“Celebrating these unsung heroes is something we’re passionate about because it shines a light on what makes Bedford Borough such a wonderful place to live and work. But we can’t do it without you!
“Please take a moment to nominate someone you know who makes a real difference. Let’s make sure their hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed.”
The Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards were created to celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things, including volunteers, fundraisers, emergency responders, teachers, and community leaders.
They shine a light on the people who keep things moving. The people who lift others up and bring pride to their street, their school, their club, their workplace, their neighbourhood and their town.
Award categories
Nominate a Bedford Independent Everyday here
The categories reflect the diverse ways Bedfordians make the Borough a brilliant place to live, work, and play. Below are the categories, their sponsors, and the 2024 winners for inspiration:
| Category | Sponsor | 2024 winner |
| Volunteer of the Year | Harpur Trust | Janet Dickinson |
| Excellence in Education | Bedford School | Michael Walker |
| Raising the Profile of Bedford Borough | The Quarry Theatre | Bedford Esquires |
| Pride in Bedford Borough | Bedford Radio | Anne-Marie Abbate |
| Young Achiever (up to age 13) | Maths Circle/Times Tables Rock Stars | Lucy Backhurst |
| Young Achiever (14 to 21) | Bedford Heights | Urban Judge |
| Youth Voice | Bedford Giving | Sporting Aid – The Next Generation Podcast |
| Inclusion Champion | BILTT | New Category / N/A |
| Fundraiser of the Year (Individual) | Woodfines Solicitors | Frankie Pickup |
| Fundraiser of the Year (Team) | White Hart Press | Bedford Christmas Tree Festival |
| Unsung Hero | Brewpoint | Shapna Khanam |
| Young Carer of the Year | HEART Academies Trust | Charlie Lloyd |
How to nominate
Do you know someone in Bedford Borough who deserves to be recognised for what they do for others? Nominating them is simple.
Make your nomination through our simple-to-fill-in form below or here and help say “thank you” to the unsung heroes in our local community who go the extra mile to make a difference in Bedford.
Nominations must be for work carried out or achievements made between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
