What a wonderful night! The 2026 Unsung Heroes Awards brought together people from across the Wakefield District to celebrate the incredible individuals who make a difference in their communities every day.
From dedicated volunteers to people who go above and beyond for their neighbours, friends and families, the evening was all about recognising the efforts that often go unnoticed.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at Theatre Royal Wakefield, bringing together our finalists, their guests and supporters for an evening dedicated to celebrating local heroes.
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception and canapés while they mingled and posed for photos, followed by an evening of celebration, with entertainment from one of our finalists, Ella Durrant, and local magician, Zen Magic, alongside the opportunity to hear more about the inspiring people at the heart of this year’s awards.
Each finalist has their own story to tell, but they share something special: a commitment to making life better for others. Whether through volunteering, distributing essentials, spreading awareness, helping neighbours or bringing people together, their contributions help make the Wakefield District a better place to live.
One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the People’s Choice Award, following a month of public voting. We received just shy of 2,000 votes in total.
This year’s People’s Choice winner was Ella Durrant.
A huge congratulations to Ella, and thank you to everyone who took the time to cast their vote and show their support.
The final special award of the evening was the Overall Winner Award, presented by local legend, Chris Kamara. The Foundation awards this accolade to the finalist we feel goes above and beyond for their family, friends and neighbours; someone who gives their time, experience and dedication, without asking for anything in return.
Our Overall Winner for 2026 was Chris Lord.
For the people Chris helps, access to a laptop or tablet can mean being able to complete schoolwork, search and apply for jobs, or simply manage more of everyday life online. His work removes a barrier that can easily leave people excluded as more of the world becomes digital, whilst also giving unwanted technology a useful second life.
Congratulations to Chris on this thoroughly deserved recognition.
Every one of this year’s finalists deserves recognition for the difference they make. Their stories are a reminder that, even when we face challenges in our communities, there are so many people working quietly and tirelessly to make things better for others.
Read more about our finalists here.
Community Foundation Wakefield District would like to thank everyone who attended the awards, our supporters, our entertainment, everyone involved in organising the evening and all those who nominated and voted for this year’s heroes.
Most importantly, congratulations to all our finalists and winners. We are proud to celebrate the people who make the Wakefield District such a special place.
