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.”