‘Awards were created because we recognised something important was missing’
Hull’s MKM Stadium was the venue for the HEY Charity Awards(Image: Ryan Crockett/News Images)
Charities, grassroots community groups and volunteers from across Hull and East Yorkshire were celebrated at the inaugural HEY Charity Awards, an evening dedicated to recognising the people and organisations quietly transforming local lives every day. Delivered by the HEY Smile Foundation, the awards brought together charities, volunteers, community champions, funders and business supporters at the MKM Stadium to showcase the creativity, commitment and impact of the region’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.
With categories spanning Health & Wellbeing, Inclusion, Arts & Culture, Sport & Active and Environmental initiatives, the awards highlighted the breadth and depth of work taking place across the region. Among the standout winners, Downright Special won the Education and Training Award for its specialist, evidence-based support helping children with Down Syndrome across Hull and the East Riding to build confidence, develop key skills and thrive in mainstream education.
Freedom Road Creative Arts received the Children and Youth Award for its long-standing work supporting young people in Hull, using dance, music and drama to build confidence, develop life skills and create lasting positive change in wellbeing and future opportunities.
Danny Watson, co-founder of CatZero, was honoured with the Special Recognition Award for his 17 years of outstanding leadership, using offshore sailing to transform the lives of young people while generating lasting and measurable social impact.
The HEY Charity Awards put the spotlight on the “everyday local heroes” who make this work possible – from volunteers giving up their evenings, to small teams stretching every pound, and leaders continuing to support their communities through times of increasing pressure. Jamie Lewis, chief executive of HEY Smile Foundation, said: “The inaugural HEY Charity Awards were created because we recognised something important was missing.
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“Hull and East Yorkshire has many opportunities to celebrate success, but there wasn’t a dedicated space to recognise the charities and grassroots organisations that quietly hold our communities together every day. These are the people supporting families through difficult times, tackling loneliness, creating opportunities and stepping up for others, often with little recognition and limited resources.
“What stood out most throughout the awards process was the incredible kindness, resilience and determination across our region. The hundreds of nominations we received told stories of organisations and people going above and beyond for their communities and reminded us just how much good is happening across Hull and East Yorkshire.
“At a time of increasing pressures and challenges, this sector continues to adapt, innovate and change lives. The night was about taking a moment to say thank you and celebrating the people truly making a difference.
“Behind the spirit of Hull and East Riding are ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others, every single day.” For more information about the HEY Charity Awards and how to support local charities across Hull and East Yorkshire, visit heycharityawards.co.uk.
The full list of winners:
- Arts & Culture – Voices of Weighton
- Children & Youth – Freedom Road Creative Arts
- Digital Inclusion – @hullsisters
- Education & Training Award – Downright Special
- Environmental Award – Oldroyd’s Corner
- Funder of the Year – A Shining Light
- Health & Wellbeing – Men in Sheds Hull
- Inclusion Award – Aim Higher
- Newcomer Award – @onepunchhull
- Sports and Active – Will Wilson
- Partnership Award – Artlink Hull and Sight Support HEY
- Team of the Year – Howden Fitmums and Friends
- Leader of the Year – Sally Langton – Wilberfoss Amateur Theatre Society
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