Rachael Jordan
Rachael Jordan and Natasha Moore set up a breast cancer support group together after meeting during their treatment and discovering a need for more post-treatment support.
Terrible Titties and Other Bitties quickly became a registered charity, based in Staffordshire but helping hundreds of women around the UK.
Wellness retreats, days out, monthly meetups, awareness talks, activities, prison visits and providing equipment and chemo boxes to local hospitals are just some of the practical and holistic ways help is offered for women diagnosed with breast cancer. An annual black tie charity ball raised £27,000 last year alone.
Sadly Natasha passed away after being diagnosed with secondary cancer but Rachael has continued with Terrible Titties and Other Bitties, supported by a board of trustees who are all fellow breast cancer survivors.
Rachael, originally from Stoke-on-Trent but now living in Stafford, has been nominated for the Your Heroes Awards by fellow trustee Rachel Millar.
Rachel said: “Under Rachael’s leadership the charity has gone from strength to strength. She lost her partner in crime, Tash, to this dreadful disease and instead of giving up she gathered likeminded women around her and forged forward.
“She is a force to be reckoned with and at the heart of everything she does are the members, her ladies, her terrible titties. On her shoulder is Tash, willing her on to do bigger and better things. Tittie HQ is her house and ever day she is doing something Tittie related, she never stops.
“I was so lucky to have found Rachael and this charity when I was diagnosed in 2021. I have no idea where I would be without Rachael’s friendship and the support of this amazing and inspirational group of women. At the helm is ‘Our Big Tit’ Rachael. She is our hero.”
Mum-of-one Rachael, 55, combines running the charity with working as an operations manager.
She said: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Treatment is a treadmill and once it’s finished you’ve got nothing, your whole world comes crumbling down. I found post-treatment was the time I struggled.
“Breast cancer massively changes you. I’m not the Rachael I was pre-cancer. You’re a different person and look at life differently.
“I met Natasha during treatment, she became my ‘breast’ friend and we started the group together. It keeps the memory of her alive and gives support to women who need it.
“There was a time when I thought I couldn’t keep doing it without her but I can and I did and I still do.”
The group began with five women and is currently supporting around 200 including in-person support to women in the Staffordshire area and online support to women around the UK.
Rachael added: “I’m shocked to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. I’m a giver and I don’t see all the good that people say I do.”
Rachael Jordan has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year and Terrible Titties and Other Bitties has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year.
Adam Priestman’s friends and family
The family and friends of a cancer patient donated more than £3,000 to the departments of the Royal Stoke University Hospital that cared for him.
Adam Priestman was 54 when he sadly passed away last year after a five-year battle with lung cancer.
The funds, which were raised through funeral donations and Adam’s goddaughter Beth Woolley running the Chatsworth 10k, were split between the Royal Stoke’s Cancer and Stroke Centres.
Beth said: “Uncle Ad courageously fought lung cancer for the past five years and attended appointments for treatment at the University Hospitals of North Midlands where he received incredible care.
“He was an inspirational, funny and much-loved son, husband, dad, brother, uncle and friend. Thank you so much to everybody for all your support.”
Adam’s wife, Emma, and his son Joe, who recently completed a placement on the Critical Care Unit, visited the Royal Stoke to hand over their cheques.
Staff at the Royal Stoke have nominated the family in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Blythe Bridge High School fundraisers
Blythe Bridge High School pupils organised a series of fundraisers to help improve the hospital stays of patients at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Older Adults wards.
They put together Hug in a Bag care packages including toiletries, puzzles and sweets and also donated more than £1,000 raised with an afternoon tea, disco and raffle in school.
As well as delivering the care packages to patients in person the students were able to find out more about how the wards are run and how UHNM Charity-funded projects have helped make a difference to patient care and experience.
The fundraising was the idea of teacher Laura Pheasey following a stay in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Laura said: “We have absolutely loved the opportunity to deliver the Hug in a Bag packages in person and see the impact it’s had on patients. It has been the most powerful, inspiring and humbling opportunity and the students are so grateful for this.
“Our fundraising has gone really well. As a school everybody is so involved with this and so on board it’s great. Money.”
Jane Havard, Senior Sister for Ward 80, said: “As they walked around you could see the patients warming to having younger people on the wards. It brought tears to the eyes of some of them, as it showed people care and think of them. It’s great to see people of this age group care for older members of the community.”
Amanda Jayne Woolley, Lead Diversional Therapist for Ward 81, added: “It gave me goosebumps. Some of our patients can get quite lonely but they loved seeing the young people and you can’t put a price on seeing the smiles on their faces. We’re all so grateful.”
The Blythe Bridge High School fundraising team has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Laura and Rich Swinscoe
Laura and Rich Swinscoe completed seven challenges, including cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats, to fundraise in memory of their son who was born sleeping at 29 weeks.
The couple wanted to thank staff at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust who cared for them by raising money for the Forget Me Not Suite.
Their challenges, which included the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a Snowdon hike and Rich cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats, raised £4,185 for the suite and were completed in time for what would have been Cub’s first birthday.
Laura, an Advanced Physiotherapist in the Critical Care Unit, has worked at UHNM for more than 12 years but never knew the Forget Me Not Suite existed.
She said: “Our son Cub was born sleeping on July 16, 2022 weighing 3lb at just 29 weeks old. Our care on the Forget Me Not Suite was exemplary and compassionate and gave us a comfortable, quiet environment away from the main busy maternity ward.
“The team of specialist bereavement midwives were caring and thoughtful throughout our stay of two and a half days. They were very patient when discussing the difficult decisions we were having to make and provided a lot of support surrounding this.
“Each member of staff took time to fully explain the process and went above and beyond in showing their compassion to our particular situation and tried to make us both as comfortable as possible at all times.
“We felt fundraising for the Suite through UHNM Charity was a fitting way to say thank you to the staff who had helped care for us and Cub. We know we unfortunately can’t prevent other families from experiencing baby loss, but we wanted to give something back to the service so those that follow could have as positive experience as possible.
“It was also a way of us using our situation to raise the profile of the essential service and generally raise awareness surrounding baby loss, as it is a subject that is often not openly discussed.”
“We chose these walking and cycling activities, as they are already things we love to do, but we wanted to take it to another level by pushing the distances and physicality of them. We are both big advocates for being outside in nature and using exercise in the outdoors as an essential aspect of mental and physical health. Part of our healing process was completing these challenges.”
Laura and Rich’s fundraising was also generously supported by Cannock Ladies’ Hockey Club Second Team, who completed RED January raising £1,150.
Laura added: “We are proud that we have hopefully made a positive contribution to a much needed part of the service and are motivated to do more and continue to raise awareness of the service and baby loss in general to help try and support families in a similar situation to ourselves.”
Rich said: “Our fundraising doesn’t even come close to how we feel about what the staff on the Forget Me Not Suite did for us and do for a lot of people. What they do is incredible at a point where some people wouldn’t know where to turn to.”
Sarah Lake, Bereavement Specialist Midwife, said: “I think Laura and Rich’s achievements for the benefit and support of other parents who use the service is incredible and very brave.”
Laura and Rich have been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Period Power and Linda Allbutt
Staffordshire charity Period Power is leading the fight against period poverty with its mission to ensure that every woman and girl should have access to period products.
Set up seven years ago by Linda Allbutt, from Eccleshall, Period Power also aims to take away the stigma around talking about periods.
It supplies basic period products to nearly 200 schools and has worked with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to help it to become the first Period Dignity City Council in England by providing period products in all 180 of the council’s ladies’ and disabled toilets.
The work is done by Linda, a team of fellow trustees and youth volunteers.
Now Period Power has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year and 72-year-old Linda has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.
Linda said: “I am flattered and humbled. We don’t do it for the recognition. The team I work with are great and they’re all volunteers committed to fighting this injustice. We see ourselves as activists for the cause.”
She said she had initially hoped that Period Power would only be needed for one year but, seven years later, it is needed more than ever.
“We’re all frustrated. We hoped that access for girls and women would get better, but it seems to have gotten worse. We seem to be firefighting all the time.
“Logistically, it’s becoming more difficult, but we always find a way around it.”
Period Power’s work doesn’t stop at providing products. Linda has been vocal in pushing for change on a national level, writing to MPs and advocating for improved working facilities so that women across the country have access to basic period care.
“We’ve seen some progress but the problem is still nationwide and too many girls are without the basics.”
Tom Johnson and The Football Fun Factory
The Football Fun Factory may look like a sports coaching organisation but what founder Tom Johnson is really trying to do is give young people life skills.
The 30-year-old, from Stafford, combines being director and head coach of The Football Fun Factory with working as a high school PE teacher.
He and his team work with children aged 18 months to 12 years at venues across Stafford and Cannock, using the medium football coaching to build soft skills such as working within a team, making friends and resilience.
Both Tom and The Football Fun Factory have received more than 20 Your Heroes Awards nominations with Tom nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer and The Football Fun Factory put forward for Community Group of the Year.
One parent, Kate Henderson, said: “I perhaps needed this outlet more than my son – moving from Birmingham to Stafford, not knowing anyone, with an only child that craved interaction, with a mother that craved the opposite.
“Tom not only taught my son teamwork, listening, dedication, friendship etc but he also taught me, someone who has at least 10 years on him, perspective and valuable interaction skills.
“I cannot promote Tom enough, from his passion, expertise and the things that can’t be taught; patience, empathy and awesomeness. If my son is ever blessed with an ounce of whatever Tom has, well, what a great human my son will become.”
Tom said: “It’s absolutely wonderful and the kind words are worth their weight in gold. What Kate says underpins all of the values that I’m about. I want to make a real difference to both the children and the parents that support them.
“I’ve always been inspired to work with children, right from when I was young myself. To have been given this nomination makes all the work worthwhile. I’m super grateful.”
Tom’s ambition is to take The Football Fun Factory nationwide.
He added: “I’ve always said, life skills over football skills. Football is the medium of the work we do, but really, it’s about getting children developing physically, socially and for them to acknowledge and use the skills which will prove useful when they go into high school and beyond.
“I want to give the children a purpose and a safe place to learn. It’s important for young people to have adult role models and here we can start to begin to build up that trust and confidence.
“We are in the business of forging relationships. That has spilled over to the parents who have become a community within themselves, making friends and feeling very much a part of what we do.”
“I’d like to get us expanded nationwide, so children can access the services we provide without having to travel too far. No child should have to travel to access a service which could make such a difference.”
Trevor Bailey
Army veteran Trevor Bailey gives his time to support homeless people on the streets of North Staffordshire including offering them food, clothing, medical assistance and showering facilities.
The 56-year-old, from Penkhull, served in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers as a vehicle technician attached to the Army Medical Corps before moving to the Royal Signals.
In 2023 he co-founded Connect to Combat Homelessness, C2CH, alongside two other veterans and serves as the charity’s chairman.
They converted a van to include a shower, changing room and space for people to talk, collaborating with organisations including local authorities to offer support.
Trevor has also been a Royal British Legion information and advice officer, a trustee and secretary of Veteran Charity and a caseworker and mentor for the armed forces charity SSAFA.
He began volunteering in the community after health issues made it harder for him to work.
He said: “I’ve always been a big believer of not competing with other charities. It’s much better to work with them because the impact can be so much greater.
“I like helping people. I consider myself useful. A bit of help can go a long way in people’s lives and I’m motivated to make a difference. We also fundraise so we can get even more resource to the people that need it.”
Nominating Trevor in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards, Teri Elder said: “I met Trevor five years ago. He volunteers all his time to helping feed and clothe the homeless in the city.
“He is selfless and determined to help people, especially the homeless, but also local groups and people that are struggling. If he can help, he will. That’s his attitude to everything in life.
“This is the recognition he deserves as he’s done so much for other people and kept to his word of just wanting to help even with his own health not being perfect. He is always there for people if they need some help.”
Trevor added: “I don’t really know what to say, it’s lovely. I really don’t do it to seek the recognition. It keeps me occupied and it makes productive use of my time. I like helping others.”
One Bomb and Michael Giblin
What began as a boxing training venue in Michael Giblin’s garden has turned into a not-for-profit gym working with people of all ages including disabled children.
One Bomb Boxing Gym, now based in Longton, still trains fighters but Michael, himself a former boxer, now works with anyone from the age of four years upwards.
He prides himself on One Bomb’s inclusivity including work with young people with learning difficulties, ADHD or autism.
One young person with autism trained as a boxer and has now become a coach at the gym.
Michael and One Bomb have been nominated in the Your Heroes Awards by Rebecca Aldersea, the mum of a disabled girl who trains with Michael.
She said: “They help so many children and young adults in so many ways. They hold fundraising events to help children succeed in life. They travel all over providing a place to train and make friendships, giving children less fortunate an opportunity to travel and train. All of this is done through fundraising events.
“Recently they went to Turkey and next on their list is Ireland. My daughter has many health issues and I am so thankful I chose One Bomb for her as she feels right at home and she loves it.
“We’re looking forward to attending the One Bomb summer fair to raise funds towards these trips and gym equipment too and we hope in the near future that my daughter will be able to complete Snowdonia with her second family.
“All of the coaches and staff are fantastic. Nothing is too much for them and they really help build confidence in these children and young adults.”
Michael, from Blurton, combines his work at One Bomb with being carer for his wife.
The 43-year-old said: “It’s absolutely lovely to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award, particularly as it’s come from a parent of a child that we work with.
“We do things out of the goodness of our heart and not for any sort of recognition.”
One Bomb has been nominated as Community Group of the Year and Michael Giblin has been nominated as Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year.
Philip Such
Philip Such has been volunteering for more than 30 years to help young people in Stoke-on-Trent find their voices through music.
The 75-year-old, from Baddeley Green, volunteers for the Friends of City Music Service, including fundraising for musical equipment and supporting events.
Philip helps with everything from organisation and support of events to traffic management.
Now retired, he worked as a teacher and then a headteacher at schools in Staffordshire.
He said: “I always wanted to support young people, I wanted to teach people fundamental life skills that would serve them well in later life. I want people to use the medium of music outside of school as well as in the classroom. That ethos still applies now that I’ve retired.
“I wasn’t born in Stoke-on-Trent but I was taken aback by the talent and the people. I knew I could support this talent through our work with the City Music Service.”
Now Philip has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by several people who have witnessed his work firsthand.
Ruth Steele, Lead for the City Music Service, said: “Philip has never asked for any recognition for the time he has given. He is always there with a smile, helping in whatever way he can. Beyond retirement that time and energy hasn’t ceased.
“The Music Service, schools and children in the city are indebted to his service and will forever be thankful.”
Cathy Lamb, head of MusicShare, said: “Philip cares deeply for the education and betterment of children and young people and for high quality experience in all walks of education, not just in music, but he sees the value of it, particularly for those children in more deprived areas.”
Simon Olphin said: “Philip is a special person and in my time as part of the Friends of City Music Service I have been inspired by his selfless dedication to the children of this great city.”
Philip added: “I feel honoured and amazed to be nominated. It makes it even more special that the nomination was from my peers.
“I’ve always put the kids I’ve supported first and I love being involved with the City Music Service.”
Jack Marshall
Jack Marshall has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity despite having a rare condition that has left him blind in one eye and needing two hearing aids.
The 26-year-old has climbed mountains including Ben Nevis and has been thrown from a plane at 15,000 feet, all in the name of supporting others.
Jack has Moebius Syndrome, which means he has no facial nerves, but that hasn’t stopped him from achieving his goals.
Jack, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has supported causes including Leukaemia Research and the NHS.
He said: “I do this because I find fundraising really fun and it inspires others, which makes it all the more worthwhile. Anyone can get involved in fundraising – it could be singing or dancing or anything else – life’s too short to wait around.
“People have told me I can’t do some things and I’m out there to show that nothing is impossible.”
In 2012 Jack was chosen as a torchbearer for the Olympics. In 2019 he was awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to charity.
He has a law degree from Staffordshire University and is currently studying for a master’s in criminology and criminal justice, due to be completed at the end of this year.
Jack has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by his friend Andy Mapperson.
Andy said: “Jack is a special individual. He goes above and beyond for everyone and the things he does in the face of adversity are nothing short of admirable.
“He’s raised so much for a number of charities and shows no sign of stopping. I’d like to recognise him for being the remarkable person that he is.”
Jack added: “The nomination is so unexpected. I feel absolutely honoured. I love the charitable work that I do because it helps people. I don’t do this for recognition. My aim is to break down barriers and inspire others.”
Tracey Edwards
A Facebook post by Tracey Edwards 12 years ago has grown into a community support group with more than 18,000 followers.
Tracey and her Meir Watch group are involved in a long list of activities to support people throughout the community including events and activities for children, free school uniform and meals during school holidays, support with gardening, promoting the area and its businesses and much more.
During the pandemic Tracey, 36, stepped up to give much needed guidance and mental health support.
The mum of three has been praised for providing what has become a vital lifeline for many within her community.
She has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards and Meir Watch has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year.
James Weaver said: “Tracey put out 1,000 teddies over lockdown and supported us all by giving food parcels throughout and video so we knew what was happening.
“Meir was a shell and she has worked hard to fill the town up. All businesses support Tracey and contribute to the things she does. That includes Easter eggs she collects from the businesses and sweets that she hides in plastic eggs so that all kids get an egg or sweets.
“At Halloween there are gift bags and at Christmas she collects toys with Caverswall Scout Club and members.
“She promotes health and wellbeing and shares what is available. She even gets our potholes sorted. She planted flowers in the town and painted our planters and benches. She also does litter picks – a lot of them.
“She’s just selfless. There even does mental health messages and give outs because she knows we are all struggling. She even gives out seed and pots so we can grow things ourselves.
“I’ve seen her find lost animals and even solve crimes. I am proud to be from Meir. Tracey deserves a thank you. I’ve missed a lot of what she does but I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Mickey Boulton said: “Tracey has been there all the time for the past 11 years. She finds our animals and lost items. She promotes the town, which is now bursting with business. She supports all the schools.
“I have never seen anyone so kind and thoughtful. She has stood up for us when we needed it the most.
“She has this presence, when you’re around her you feel safe. I can’t think of a better person to receive a thank you.”
Tracey said she was surprised but very happy to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award.
She said: “I put a post on Facebook about 12 years ago and it spread from there. The more I did, the more people responded. We just seem to do everything – people inbox me and I try to help them if I can. Apart from my three kids, Meir Watch is my main focus.”
The Dougie Mac charity shop in Meir
A Stoke-on-Trent charity shop has been recognised for its staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to raise money for a good cause.
The Dougie Mac charity shop in Meir has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Teresa Payne, who made the nomination, said: “100% respect for continuing to help raise money for an amazing cause.”
Liz Clarke, Head of Retail at the Dougie Mac, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our Meir shop has been recognised by this Your Heroes nomination. Meir is one of our biggest and busiest shops, selling everything from clothing, accessories and homeware to larger furniture items including sofas, wardrobes, and beds.
“The team, made up of staff and volunteers, strive to ensure the shop is always well-stocked, clean and tidy so this is great recognition of their hard work and I’m really proud of them.
“Dougie Mac has 21 charity shops across the local area and they play a hugely important role in the hospice’s financial strength, generating more than £6 million of income to help pay for the specialist care services we offer to local adults, young adults and children facing life-limiting conditions.
“It’s the fantastic support from our local community that makes our shops so successful – every time you donate your preloved items to us or buy something from one of our shops, you’re making a difference and helping us to be there for local families when they need us.”
Brian Broughton MBE
Brian Broughton MBE has raised around £3 million for charity over the past 70 years – and the 86-year-old has no intention of stopping.
The Royal Army Ordnance Corps veteran has been the President of Tamworth Royal British Legion for the past two years and still goes out selling poppies, having sold them for the past 54 years.
He’s walked the Great Wall of China to raise money for breast cancer research, dressed up in costumes for Children in Need and raised money for numerous other charities.
Brian, from Tamworth, even grows a beard from August to December each year so that he can be a real bearded Santa Claus for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and various schools.
He said: “My mother died when I was 17 so I went to the hospital to see if there was any way I could help them. I started fundraising and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Brian, who celebrates his 87th birthday in August, started his working life as an engineering apprentice and later became an events coordinator for ASDA.
He was awarded a Queen’s Volunteer Reserve Service Medal and was awarded an MBE in 2006.
Brian has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Tina Clements, Chair of Tamworth Royal British Legion.
She said: “Brian for most of his life has raised money for varying charities. He has spent numerous hours in varying costumes raising money for Children In Need, Royal British Legion, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Breast Cancer Now and Tickled Pink to name a few.
“Everywhere you go everyone knows him. He is a down-to-earth family man with no airs or graces. He inspires the next generation of young adults to do well and has even supported youngsters who may have taken a wrong turn to get back on track.
“At Christmas he used to go round all the children’s wards and deliver presents to the sick children who would spend their time in hospital.
“Brian is a true gentleman who just wants to make a difference to everyone’s life. He has so much passion and just loves life. He always gives 100% and if he can’t fix it no one can. Brian oozes enthusiasm and if he can make the life of someone better he will.”
Brian added: “I’m overwhelmed really. I never expect to get anything like this. I just do it because I’ve always done it.”
The Affordable Food Stoke Volunteer Team
From a social supermarket to emergency food parcels and a community lounge, Affordable Food Stoke can only continue to offer vital services to the community thanks to its team of more than 20 volunteers.
Many of the volunteers started off as beneficiaries of at least one of Affordable Food Stoke’s services and are now helping others.
Affordable Food Stoke in Blurton was set up by Nikki and Duane Barrett in 2017. It is now a registered charity and supports more than 2,500 families.
Duane Barrett has nominated the charity’s volunteers in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “I really did have to think long and hard about making this nomination. Not because I don’t believe our volunteers deserve the recognition and the credit or because I don’t believe our volunteers are not worthy. But because we have had some amazing nights at the Your Heroes Awards, Staffordshire University Business Awards and the BBC Radio Stoke Make A Difference Awards.
“But therein lies the issue. We have had some amazing nights, awards, and memories. Not our volunteers. Not Alan, Craig, Dawn, Aunty Dawn, Dee, Glenis, Jason, Karen, Kathy, Kemal, Kev, Laura, Linda, Marie, Mark, Michelle 1, Michelle 2, Millissa, Lyn, Nette, Nick, Pam, Pat, Sam, Si, Connor or Cleo. These are our heroes.
“We weren’t going to enter because we want others around our city to have the experiences we have had, that we are very lucky to have had, but our volunteers deserve this. They all deserve the spotlight, the respect, the thanks and gratitude.
“These are the dedicated people that run Affordable Food Stoke and make us wonderful. Because they are wonderful! These are the true unsung juggernauts that have enabled us to make 723 collections of 82,873kg of food, giving away the equivalent of 198,816 meals worth of food, equivalent of 250,263kg of CO2 savings since January 2023.
“Also over 2023, these are the people that run No.87, our social supermarket, four days a week, supporting more than 2,500 visiting families.
“These are the people that have helped to collect and create more than 1,066 emergency food parcels (of which 595 were for children).
“These are the people that have cooked, looked after and fed more than 998 people with Friday dining, and have provided tea, toast and comfort to more than 1,712 people with our lounges.
“They are up early and out late, they come rain or shine and they carry us on their shoulders and carry our city too!
“This group of people amaze us every single day and they all have this unwavering desire to better where we live, and honestly they are the most amazing group of individuals we have ever met, inspiring us to keep pushing this charity that we founded forwards.
“The greatest thing about our city is the people ,and no-where in my opinion is that more evident that with our volunteers.
“The only thing I hope is that if you find it worthy to shortlist our merry band of extraordinary volunteers they can all get an invite to the best social calendar event of the year.”
Stuart Wood
Stuart Wood works full-time, runs a not-for-profit community gym, coaches two junior football teams and raises thousands of pounds for charity – including a 24-hour cycle ride this weekend in aid of the Royal Stoke Hospital.
The 41-year-old, from Birches Head, set up Woody’s Back to Basics Gym in Joiners Square, Hanley, 12 years ago with his dad and a family friend.
The gym is run as a community interest company with no-one involved in running it receiving a salary and any money generated invested back into the business.
Dad-of-two Stuart, who works at JCB, used to box and would always donate his fee to charity. He has also run marathons in aid of a day care centre.
“It keeps me active and it keeps me going,” he said. “I love to see other people benefiting.
“The gym was my dad’s idea. This area is inundated with gyms and we never went into it with the intention of making money, in fact we’ve put our own money into it.
“It’s all about being a decent human being. I’m proud to be a Stokie and the goal was to help as many people as possible.”
The gym works with people of all ages and backgrounds and Stuart says he is proud to have helped people turn their lives around as well as improve their fitness.
Stuart coaches the Milton United Under-14s and Abbey Hulton Under-14s football teams.
He’ll be cycling for 24 hours at a fun day at Milton United this coming Saturday to raise money for two wards at the Royal Stoke Hospital that are treating two women connected to the football club. The fundraising total currently stands at £3,500.
Stuart has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer category of the Your Heroes awards by more than 15 people.
Laura Ditcher said: “Stu has touched the lives of more people than he’ll ever realise, undoubtedly saving lives with his encouragement, support and words.”
Kelly Dean said: “Whether it be cutting grass, coaching football, unloading a van or being a shoulder to cry on, Stuart is the man. He is always putting others first. We as a community think Stu deserves this award.”
Dawn Amison said: “He’s an amazing, caring man and deserves to be recognised for how wonderful he is.”
Ian Edwards said: “He is such a kind, caring, funny guy who is loved by all of the community.”
Marie Dykes said: “He is a credit to our community and is well respected locally. He encourages us every day to be better people even when life gets tough for yourself.”
Stuart added: “I don’t take praise well and I definitely don’t do things for praise. I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of my wife, Vicky.”
Wayne and Laura Damant
Wayne and Laura Damant are so thankful to the University Hospitals of North Midlands for its support for them and their family that they have raised tens of thousands of pounds for the UHNM Charity and have no intention of stopping.
Last year alone the Trentham couple raised more than £30,000 for the UHNM Charity through fundraisers such as golf days and charity balls.
The hospital charity is not the only beneficiary of their efforts as their fundraising extends to many charities across Stoke-on-Trent.
Wayne, now a property landlord, says he was taught the importance of giving to others from a young age. “I was always told that if I had a pound in my pocket and I could afford to give back, then I should do just that. If I couldn’t donate my money I would always donate my time.”
By the age of 16 Wayne was fundraising for The Prince’s Trust.
The couple’s fundraising efforts became much more personal in 2022 when Wayne’s mother passed away. “The palliative care team were exceptional. As a young man who didn’t know what to do, they were there for me and I will never forget that.”
In 2022 Wayne suffered his second case of sepsis and staff at the UHNM were instrumental in his recovery.
“We are able to support a number of charities in the local area through our time. There are good people in this wonderful city and we like to support wherever we can.”
Wayne and Laura have been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Martyn Irvine, Assistant Head Coach of the Stoke City Women’s Team.
Martyn said: “The Damants are incredibly supportive, kind and help promote all charity work to support others, always putting others first. They both deserve the world for their efforts and I just want them to know how appreciated they are.”
Wayne added: “I don’t think I deserve this. I try to stay behind the scenes as much as I can. However, if one person is inspired to give their money or their time from our efforts then it’s all the more worthwhile. It just showcases what Stoke-on-Trent is all about.”
Deborah Lawson
Deborah Lawson is helping others as a disability advocate despite having faced a number of serious life challenges.
The 45-year-old has been recognised not only by the many people she’s supported through her work but also nationally by the Prime Minister.
At the age of 19 Deborah was involved in a car crash which led to her losing her physical mobility. At the age of 24 she had a serious fall which exacerbated her condition further. While undertaking her university studies in extreme pain she found herself lying in bed with a screen suspended above her head.
Despite the real possibility of deferral due to her condition Deborah was able to attain a first class honours degree.
“This degree would end up serving me well in my current line of work,” she said.
Around the time she was due to graduate she was dealt another blow and was involved in a house fire which resulted in her losing all of her possessions and becoming homeless.
Yet with all of these challenges before her Deborah, from Congleton, has continued to challenge societal misconceptions in her role as a disability advocate for more than two decades.
“The impact that I make on people’s lives is what motivates and inspires me to continue,” she said. “Some people have said they wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the work that I do, which is humbling but also gives me extra fight to deliver change.”
Deborah’s work spans various sectors including healthcare, retail, community and policy reform. She is currently collaborating with her local council, one of the relationships where she’s starting to see a material change in attitudes.
“Before, councils resisted change, but my council is now working with me as they are more open-minded and want to do better. That change is refreshing and that investment from our council could hopefully spread to other councils trying to improve their disability policies.”
Deborah’s work has impacted the lives of thousands of people. Indeed, Adenike Nwachukwu, who nominated Deborah for a Your Heroes Award, said: “Her tireless advocacy, pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to inclusivity make her a champion of change who has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of disabled people. She’s not only done this for 24 years but has done it all as a volunteer.”
Deborah’s message to the people she works with is simple: “If everyone cares and comes together, we can make a difference. We’ve put up barriers and we can easily take them down.”
Deborah has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Dave and Jill Whitmore
Dave and Jill Whitmore have been volunteering in their village for so long that some of the children they’ve supported now send their own children to community events organised by them.
The couple, both Madeley Parish Councillors, have been stalwarts of the Madeley community for decades.
An annual carnival, litter picks, awards evenings supported by Gordon Banks OBE, Halloween discos, Easter egg trails, Christmas parties and pantos, trips to Cosford Air Show – you name it and Dave and Jill have done it. The couple also ran Madeley Residents Association for many years.
Dave, 60, combines his voluntary work with working shifts at Bentley Motors. Jill, 68, is the village’s school crossing patrol after stepping into the breach when the post couldn’t be filled.
Dave and Jill are tireless supporters of partially deaf boxer Poppy Edwards, a previous Your Heroes Awards Future Star winner, and have been fundraising so that Poppy can compete overseas.
The Whitmores have been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer category of the Your Heroes Awards by Poppy’s mum, Amy Edwards.
She said: “David and Jill are an amazing couple. They tirelessly help n the community, organising themed events throughout the year such as Halloween discos and spooky trails and Easter egg hunts. David will often spend his spare time litter picking to keep our village tidy.
“Both David and Jill have worked extremely hard to support previous Your Heroes winner Poppy Edwards to help raise funds to enable her to fight abroad. They organised a table top sale, sold David’s paintings and raffles to name but a few of the fundraising ideas and continue to support Poppy in any way they can.
“David and Jill are an asset to our village. Jill works as a patrol lady crossing the children safely to school each day – and always with a friendly smile.
“As a village we are lucky to have a couple who are dedicated to putting others before themselves to make others’ lives that bit brighter. I know personally that Poppy is extremely lucky to have the support from David and Jill.”
Dave said: “The bottom line is that I still do this because I care. I still believe that strong communities are safe communities. We’ve still got strong bonds with some of the people who came to us as children and now have children of their own.”
Chelsey Ball
Mum-of-two Chelsey Ball is using her baking skills to fundraise for charities including the Dougie Mac, Marie Curie and Aching Arms.
The 30-year-old teacher, from Norton, has been holding a monthly cake raffle on social media since mid-2023 and has raised hundreds of pounds so far.
“I’m not interested in making any money at all, it doesn’t cost a great amount to bake and all I’d like to do is make a difference. The winner of the raffle gets my cakes, whilst raising money for good causes,” she said.
“These charities have a personal element to me as some of my friends and family have had to use these charities to some capacity. I can raise awareness, as well as funds which would go a long way.
“Just being able to help and contribute is a big thing for me – something so small like baking can make a big difference to people’s lives. I’ve helped people very close to me just by doing these raffles, so it’s something I plan on continuing into the long term.
Chelsey has been nominated in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said she felt “speechless and amazed” to be nominated and added: “Being nominated by my friend who is also a fundraiser is just the icing on the cake!”
Michael Copeland – aka The Fridge Man
Former Army fitness instructor Michael Copeland hasn’t just raised £20,000 by climbing some of the world’s highest mountains, he’s done it with a fridge strapped to his back.
The 39-year-old, who now works as an HGV driver, became the first person in history to scale Mount Kilimanjaro carrying a fridge following a seven-day hike in March.
The former Grenadier Guard, from Stafford, has also climbed the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours while carrying the 30kg fridge.
He’s raised around £20,000 for charities including Mind and CALM as well as bringing attention to men’s mental health.
“Awareness of mental health is so important to me,” said Michael. “I’ve always struggled with my own mental health and my overthinking, so this form of exercise keeps me on the straight and narrow.
“I realised that men’s mental health is still on the rise and it’s still not spoken about enough. I’d like to make sure that changes”.
Michael started his campaign in January 2022. He’s climbed more than 30 mountains since then including Kilimanjaro, Snowdonia and some of the most dangerous ridges in the Scottish Highlands.
“I do all of these climbs with the fridge on my back to show that even with a weight on your shoulders, both metaphorically and physically in my case, that you can still achieve great things.
“I use the fridge because it’s awkward and it gets people talking which is the aim of my climbs.”
The body builder says he has no end goal – he just wants to raise awareness and as much money for charity as he can.
“I’ve challenged myself since I was 15, so I feel this is now part of my daily structure. I’m very aware of my own mental health and doing this is both positive for me and the people who I impact.”
Michael has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “It’s amazing to have been nominated for something like this. It just gives me extra momentum to keep going.”