Unsung Heroes Awards 2024
Every community has its unsung heroes – the selfless individuals who dedicate their time and effort to making life better for those around them.
The Community Foundation Wakefield District’s annual Unsung Heroes awards shine a spotlight on these exceptional people from across the Wakefield District.
These unsung heroes are the backbone of our communities, yet often their remarkable contributions go unrecognised. Our Unsung Heroes awards are our chance to celebrate their generosity, compassion, and commitment to creating positive change.
Together, we can give these unsung heroes the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve.
We received an unprecedented number of nominations, more than any other year previously. From the nominations, our judging panel chose ten winners for our Unsung Heroes Awards 2024.
Catherine Horbury
Catherine has lived experience of a learning disability, but she doesn’t let her challenges stop her from achieving her goals. She is a wonderful advocate for people with Down syndrome and she enjoys helping others, whether this is through her job as a peer support worker at Fieldhead Hospital or via her volunteer roles in the local community—such as the PEG (Patient Experience Group), which she co-chairs. She has such a positive influence on many people across the Wakefield district. As per the catchphrase her friends and colleagues have coined, we should all ‘Be More Cath’!
Family Burns Club Volunteers
These dedicated individuals selflessly donate countless hours to support children, families, and young adults recovering from burn injuries. Together with the Family Burns Club founder, Tracy Foster, the team’s unwavering commitment shines through in their fundraising efforts and organised weekend getaways, which offer essential support and connection for people facing such challenges. The compassion and dedication of the Family Burns Club volunteers profoundly impact many lives.
Jan Archbold
‘Jan is such a selfless, kind and caring person,’ said one nominator, and we would absolutely agree. ‘She gives so much of her time and energy to helping people with dementia and their families and carers.’ Jan set up Memory Action Group in 2018, culminating in a drop in centre that opened on 1st Aug 2019; due to there being nowhere for her and her husband, Liam, to meet up with others in a similar position. Liam was able to enjoy the sessions for three years before he passed away in 2022. Jan’s aim is to ensure people with dementia do not feel alone or unsupported. ‘Well done, Jan, you’re a star!’
Judith Russell
Judith is the Chair of Disability Sport Yorkshire. Since its inception in 1993, she has led inclusive sports festivals, provided inclusive training, and organised annual awards ceremonies that celebrate disabled athletes’ achievements. In 2014, DSY acquired the Denhale Active Recreation Centre, which allows the organisation to support hundreds more disabled individuals on an annual basis. During the challenges of the pandemic, Judith volunteered full-time to sustain DSY’s vital work. With her tireless effort, a new strategy for 2024 aims to further enhance accessibility for disabled sportspeople.
Kidz Aware
Gillian Archbold and her daughter, Sabrina, run Kidz Aware, and the whole team has been recognised for the support they give across the Wakefield district. Launched in 2007 to help families of disabled people, Kidz Aware has supported over a thousand families, and the organisation continues to reach more families in need. Sabrina, who is herself disabled and uses a wheelchair, and Gillian, have firsthand knowledge of the challenges these families face, and it’s inspiring to see just how much the team does to support their beneficiaries.
Sara Williamson
Sara works tirelessly as Chair and Founder of the MY Breast Cancer Support Group, which raises funds and awareness on behalf of those living with a breast cancer diagnosis. Together with Yorkshire Cancer Research, the group has been a huge part of the Active Together campaign, helping cancer patients to exercise as they receive their treatment to boost their long-term health and wellbeing.
Spectrum Children’s Drama Company
Odelle Hardcastle runs this wonderfully inclusive children’s theatre group in Altofts, which was created by her parents 30 years ago. Wholly volunteer-led, Odelle and her team support children of all ages. The organisation adapted its offering and support when the pandemic was rife, as they know that their classes bring so much more to the children they support than simply dance tuition. The team are excellent with their young charges, and the performances they regularly hold are incredible. As one nominator put it, ‘They go the extra mile and care for the children like they’re their own.’
Wakefield Street Kitchen
The whole team at Wakefield Street Kitchen received nomination after nomination, from people across the district who know of the huge impact these selfless people make within their community. Hundreds of local people in need receive supplies and hot meals each week from Anna Howard and her loyal volunteers. It’s great to see their tireless efforts being recognised.
Wakefield Whirlwinds Wheelchair Basketball Club
Wakefield Whirlwinds is a wheelchair basketball club for people aged 6 to 50+. They welcome both disabled and able-bodied players and are a second family to those who attend. Once a Whirlwind, always a Whirlwind’ is the club’s ethos. Steve Greatorex and his enthusiastic, loyal team put a lot of time and resources into the Whirlwinds’ weekly sessions, as well as competitions they may be a part of further afield.
WF3 Kindness Team
During lockdown, Dan and Sarah Frank, along with others in their community, set up the WF3 Kindness Charity, to help anyone in need in their locality. Initially ensuring people had food and medicine during Covid, over the last four years, the organisation has grown into an amazing charity. From creating care packages for people escaping a domestic abuse situation, to organising what have now become annual fundraising events; from holding their own volunteer recognition evening, i.e. the incredible WF3 Kindness Awards, to carrying out a whole host of selfless, kind things for people in need. Dan, Sarah and their team are true heroes.
Read more about the 2023 ceremony and find out the winners of the People’s Choice Award and the Overall Winner, here.
Every year have a People’s Choice Award, which is open to a public vote. Votes closed on Wednesday 25th September.
