The search is officially on for the unsung stars of our community as nominations open for the 2025 Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards.
Now in its sixth year, the awards continue to celebrate the people who quietly go the extra mile to make life better across Bedford Borough.
From volunteers and carers to teachers and campaigners, the awards shine a light on the everyday efforts that make our town a place to be proud of.
Held in partnership with The Harpur Trust, this year’s awards will culminate in a celebration at The Quarry Theatre, hosted by Bedford School, on Thursday, 7 May.
Among the categories is Fundraiser of the Year (Team), sponsored by White Hart Press, recognising the power of people coming together to support causes close to their hearts.
Nominate a Bedford Independent Everyday here
Recognising Bedford’s fundraising teams
The Fundraiser of the Year (Team) award honours groups who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and vital funds for charities and community causes.
Whether it is a sporting challenge, a large-scale community event, or a creative campaign that captures the local imagination, judges will be looking for passion, creativity, and commitment.
Last year’s winners, the Bedford Christmas Tree Festival team, impressed judges not just with the scale of their event but with the sense of community it created.
The annual festival, held at St Paul’s Church, brought together businesses, schools and community groups to decorate trees and raise money for local charities.
After their win, organisers said the recognition had not fully sunk in and noted that the award had highlighted the impact of their work.
The festival returned after its success with Everyday Heroes, continuing to raise significant sums for good causes while drawing visitors into the town centre and creating a festive focal point for Bedford.
It is exactly that blend of impact, community spirit and long-term commitment that this award seeks to celebrate.
Proud to support local fundraising
Daniel O’Loughlin of White Hart Press said: “We are once again proud to be associated with the Everyday Heroes Awards supporting the Fundraiser of the Year (Team).
“Fundraising within Bedford is very close to our hearts. We have always admired the teams of people who stand up and take notice, showing good stewardship for long-lasting impacts from their fundraising efforts.
“When the community of Bedford sees that there is a fundraising success, they will inevitably jump on board, and this is what we love about our town.
“We wish all nominees and teams the very best of luck in this award.”
Nominate a Bedford Independent Everyday here
Why your nomination matters
Behind every successful fundraiser is a story of early mornings, late nights, planning meetings, sponsorship forms, social media pushes and a lot of determination.
Many of these teams do not seek the spotlight; they just get on with it. That is exactly why these awards exist.
If you know a team that has organised an event, completed a challenge or built something special that has raised funds for a charity or community group between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, now is the time to put their name forward.
Let’s make sure their hard work is recognised and their impact celebrated across the whole borough.
The 2025 Award Categories
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 recognition for their selfless work? Nominating them is simple. You can submit your nomination using the form below or by visiting the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards page.
- Eligibility: Nominations must be for work carried out or achievements made between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline: Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
