Entries for the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards 2024, in partnership with the Harpur Trust, are now open, focussing on individuals and teams who have made a positive impact within Bedford Borough between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024.
This is the fifth year we have held these awards, giving all those Brilliant Bedfordians who make our Borough better a chance to be recognised for their efforts.
Nominations are for individuals or teams who fulfil the criteria of each award. If a business or employee is nominated, the entry needs to show that their achievements result from going above and beyond normal duties.
You can then make nominations right up until midnight on 16 March 2025.
We are looking forward to receiving lots of entries as we know so many people go the extra mile to make a difference, so don’t be shy in coming forward. Get nominating and help us all say “thank you” for all they do.
This year our nominated charity is Just Us, a local charity that believes people need a safe home and a fair chance at keeping It. You can read more about their work on their website.
How to enter
Nominate here – all nominations must be received by midnight on 16 March 2025.
Submissions must be no more than 300 words and include evidence of how the nominee or their work has made a positive impact within Bedford Borough between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024.
We also need a short description of no more than 50 words that will be used to highlight those who reach the final stage.
To help, please read the shortlisted shortlisted entries from 2023 and the category descriptions below. Once you’ve done that, and you’ve decided who you would like to nominate, fill out the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes 2024 nomination form.
Read: Here they are – the Bedford heroes who walk among us
We want to pay a special thank you to our award partners The Harpur Trust, and all our award category sponsors. Without them, these awards would not be possible.
Volunteer/s of the Year – sponsored by The Harpur Trust
Do you know 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.
2023 winner: Akaal Seva
The Akaal Seva charity have been feeding vegetarian curries to the homeless in Bedford for 10 years. The charity is funded by donations from its members to serve the community
Nominate a volunteer of the year.
Excellence in Education – sponsored by Bedford School
This award recognises excellence from an individual in teaching, coaching or other educational disciplines.
Teaching, coaching, or educating is so much more than just a job. Those people inspire, encourage and make a difference in a child’s future.
We are looking for someone who has truly gone above and beyond in helping a young person or class to recognise their potential and shine.
2023 winner: Faye McKinney
Faye is the SENDCO at Shackleton Primary School and is an absolute diamond. Her open-door policy and 100% pro-active hyper-efficiency is a God-send to the most vulnerable children and their families. She is an inspiration.
Nominate for Excellence in Education.
Raising the Profile of Bedford Borough – sponsored by The Quarry Theatre
Do you know someone or a team who has achieved something that has put Bedford Borough on the map and proves to people in other parts of the UK and beyond that Bedford Borough punches above its weight, then this is the award you need to nominate them for.
They may have organised an event, campaigned to improve our Borough, or shouted loudly about all the amazing things that happen across Bedford Borough.
This award has slightly changed this year but a previous suitable winner was the Bedford Ladies Tug of War team
Bedford Ladies were established in the 1980s and have, since then, won numerous national, UK, European and World championship medals.
They won a hard-fought bronze medal in the World Championships representing Bedford Ladies in the Club competition and England in the closed competition.
They also qualified to represent Great Britain at the World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA taking Bedford to the 2nd largest sporting event in the world.
The Bedford Ladies are well known the world over in the USA, Sweden, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei the Netherlands and more.
Nominate for Raising the Profile of the Borough.
Pride in Bedford Borough – sponsored by Bedford Radio
If you know someone or a group who has proved to local people that Bedford Borough is a great place to live, work and play, then this is the award you need to nominate them for.
We’re looking at successes, initiatives, events, campaigns and more where they help make Bedford Borough look brilliant and instil a sense of pride amongst their fellow Bedfordians.
This award has slightly changed this year but take a look at Bedford Creative Arts as an example. They won the former Raising the Profile of the Town (Team) award last year.
Bedford Creative Arts is pivotal in raising the profile of Bedford, leveraging funding to orchestrate creative workshops and research initiatives. These endeavours have resulted in meaningful connections and collaborations within the community and beyond.
Nominate for Pride in the Borough.
Young Achiever (up to age 13) – sponsored by Maths Circle/Times Tables Rock Stars
This award honours an individual aged 13 or under who has achieved over and above the expected. We are looking for young people who show sporting, community or charitable excellence and the positive impact it has on Bedford Borough.
2023 winner: Lola Bracey
Lola continues to campaign for girls’ voices to be heard in sports in school – especially football. Her Let Girls Play petition reached over 66,000 signatures. She also plays football for both club and county.
Nominate a Young Achiever (up to age 13).
Young Achiever (age 14 – 21) – sponsored by Bedford Heights
This award honours an individual aged 14 to 21 who has achieved over and above the expected. We are looking for young people who show sporting, community or charitable excellence and the positive impact it has on Bedford Borough.
This year the category has been split into two age groups so see below for the previous winner and also a shortlist for someone younger.
2023 winner: Charlie Faulkner
Charlie has given so much of his time and expertise to help children’s charities and community groups, in particular, improving the lives of underprivileged children. He has delivered talks about consent, respect for women and being an ally.
Nominate a Young Achiever (age 14-21).
Youth Voice – sponsored by Bedford Giving
This award recognises individuals or teams who speak up on behalf of youngsters. It’s aimed at young people aged 25 and under or organisations acting on behalf of young people, with the impact of their actions benefitting those who are aged 18 and under.
It could be a student who has campaigned for improvements at their school, someone who has campaigned the local authority or parliament for a policy change or a group/team who has provided help and guidance to enhance children’s lives
This is a brand-new award, as we feel it is important to us to shine a light on youth voices and help them to be heard.
Nominate someone or a group for Youth Voice.
Fundraiser of the Year (Individual) – sponsored by Woodfines Solicitors
We’re looking for someone who has worked hard to raise awareness and cash for their chosen charity. Whatever they’ve raised funds for, and no matter how much, we want to hear the creative ways they gained support and why it was important to them to support their cause.
Individuals will be judged on passion, creativity, and commitment to their cause.
2023 winner: Liz Simmonds
Liz is a tireless fundraiser raising thousands of pounds for countless charities, including running a 100km ultra marathon and has even donated a kidney to help someone in need.
Nominate a Fundraiser of the Year (Individual).
Fundraiser of the Year (Team) – sponsored by White Hart Press
We’re looking for a team* who has worked hard to raise awareness and cash for their chosen charity.
Whatever they’ve raised funds for, and no matter how much, we want to hear the creative ways they gained support and why it was important to them to support their cause. Individuals will be judged on passion, creativity and commitment to their cause.
*Two or more people
2023 winner: David Donnelly, Terry Donnelly, John Jones & David Ross
In 2023 £27,520 was raised towards a new cutting-edge da Vinci Xi surgery robot. They arranged a golf day in memory of three of David and Terry’s brothers, Robert, John and Chris, who lost their lives to COVID in 2020.
Nominate a Fundraiser of the Year (Team).
Unsung Hero – sponsored by Brewpoint
Bedford Borough is full of unsung heroes, and we think it’s time to help them shine. Do you know someone who is always looking out for their neighbours, gives back to their community or has recently shown an act of bravery?
This is our broadest category, and we want to hear inspirational stories about great Bedfordians. So, if you know someone who has done something outstanding to help others, that does not fit into any of our other categories, then this is the award for them.
2023: Christian Coley
Resident at Emmaus Village Carlton, having formerly been homeless himself, Christian set up and runs the Rucksack Stomp, where he and volunteers go out three evenings a week to support the homeless since 2017.
Young Carer – sponsored by Heart Academies Trust
There are 800,000 young carers aged 5-17 who care for an adult or family member in the UK and we want those in Bedford Borough to be recognised for what they do.
To be nominated for this award, the carer must be under the age of 18. Being a kid is hard enough but these genuine heroes give up so much to help often without people outside of their immediate family being aware of their sacrifices.
While a young carer may also do the same things that an adult carer does, they may also have to carry out daily tasks that non-carer children only do occasionally, such as cooking or cleaning.
They often then don’t have time for themselves or school work.
They may also have to help someone like a parent get dressed and move around, and give them a lot of physical help and emotional support, too.
More guidance on young carers can be found at NHS.co.uk
2023 winner: Andreea Balan
Andreea cares for a non-verbal younger brother who can sometimes be challenging and supports mum with her newborn. She cleans the house before school and walks her brother to school every day. Always puts herself last, and hates being a bother to anyone. She’s a fantastic young lady.
This award is sponsored by Heart Academies Trust but some of our other category sponsors also donate gifts to give these extra special young Bedfordians a treat. If you are a business that would like to also do this, and help give all of the Young Carers nominees something a little special, please contact Julia Course.
We can’t wait to read through all the nominations you’ve sent us over the last few years, we can’t wait to see who else has been helping to make Bedford Borough brilliant. Remember, all nominations must be made by midnight on 28 February 2025 to be counted, so don’t delay.
