It’s one week until YorkMix Hero Awards! Meet our finalists

We asked for your nominations and you absolutely delivered – meet our heroic finalists!

It’s only one week to go until our anticipated YorkMix Hero Awards 2025, with Yorkshire Profiles, and we can now reveal our finalists – all nominated by our readers and listeners.

The winners will be announced at our grand award ceremony at York Racecourse on Friday 20 June 2025.

Take a look at our amazing finalists below, and read more about why they’re deserving of the recognition with an excerpt of their nominations.

Meet the finalists for YorkMix Hero Awards 2025

Best Boss Award with Potions Cauldron Group

• Beth Welsh from Affinity Care Solutions
  • “Having worked for over 20 years I can’t express how lucky I am to have a boss like Beth who’s dedication and hard work has made our company Affinity Care Solutions the place it is today. Nothing is ever too much for her – not only a boss, but a true friend too.”
• Emma Brownbridge from Indigo Greens
  • “Even in the rough times she still manages to put a smile on people’s faces. Her ability to motivate the team is an ability every good boss should have. Her kindness and patience have also given students the opportunity to do work experience at Indigo Greens. We appreciate all the extra effort she puts in.”
• David Lister from J. C. Lister Farms
  • “David is a super boss who listens to all his staff and is open to suggestions. His ears are always ready to listen. He is the rock on which these farms have been built following the death of his father in 1972. Not many bosses invite some farm staff to their home on Christmas morning for nibbles and drinks!”

Environmental Hero Award with YorWaste

• Helen Smith
  • “Helen has worked tirelessly to improve the school grounds for pupils, visitors, community groups and wildlife. She spends hours of her own time fundraising and working in the grounds to help improve mental health, learning and support for the children. Helen’s achievements include planting bee-friendly plants and flowers, a remembrance and reflection garden with seating, and a large, productive allotment area and greenhouse.”
• Dan Sidley
  • “Dan has dedicated each day of his adult life to the rescue and treatment of injured animals in need, across North Yorkshire and the wider region. Dan founded Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue Centre in 2005 at just 18 years of age. Dan’s charity responds to more than 6,000 calls for help each year, providing a rescue service and veterinary treatment in purpose-built facilities.”
• Constantin Ene
  • “Constantin has driven the hotel’s environmental progress, making a lasting difference through innovation, passion and action. He led a 2024 food waste campaign, earning the joint highest UK score in Marriott’s sustainability pledge. He also created an on-site herb and vegetable garden.”

Volunteer of the Year with Craybakes

• Menfulness
  • “Menfulness have done so much for men’s mental health. They give up so much of their spare time and are committed to helping men who have issues in their lives. These guys have helped myself, and so many others like me and take absolutely no credit for what they do.”
• Claire Maxted Wiggins
  • “Claire made around 300 care packages for those in need, for adults, kids and babies. Each one was wrapped and sent between Christmas 2024 and Easter 2025. They’re sent to distribution centres for the Trussel Trust and Salvation Army. Claire herself has debilitating pain from arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She is on intense medication and needs 24 hour care.”
• Fiona Thompson and Jeanette Hutchinson
  • “Fiona, the Leisure Club manager, has made a lasting impact on the residents of Abbeyfield House, a sheltered housing community in York. On a first-name basis with most of the residents, she regularly gives up her own time to visit – serving tea and coffee, chatting, and bringing warmth and companionship. Jeanette, whereever she goes, is a true superstar. For more than 10 years she has been a phone a friend via Age UK, making calls every week without fail.”

Charity Fundraiser of the Year Award with Ate O’Clock Restaurant

• Cynthia Ford
  • “Cynthia runs the bingo and this year some of the charities she has fundraised for are a guide and ranger camp, a cricket club, a secondary school to help run their prom and the Marie Curie charity. She raised £36,000 last year and since she started 22 years ago she’s raised about half a million pounds.”
• Jean Prior
  • “Jean has raised more than £100,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. She gets up at 3am every Sunday to be the first in the queue to fundraise at a car boot sale. She bakes all day every Friday and Saturday – cakes, puddings, pies. Jen pays for all the ingredients. She sells these at the Sunday night pub quiz she runs at the White Horse in Poppleton.”
• David Brown BEM
  • David has dedicated the last 18 years to fundraising for various charities, but the main one is The Snappy Trust. His annual fundraising dinner he will break through £250k raised, with over half of this to Snappy. He walked a million steps during lockdown and has always looked for interesting and entertaining things to do to raise funds.”

Outstanding Bravery Award with Middletons Hotel and Emperors Gym

• Tom Lindsey and Morgan Carrot
  • “The York BID Street Rangers strive to make York a safe and welcoming city on a daily basis. On 10 January, rangers Tom and Morgan were on patrol in the city centre when a local business alerted them after observing an individual carrying a firearm. Without hesitation and with full awareness of the potential danger, Tom and Morgan responded promptly to the call. Demonstrating outstanding bravery and professionalism, they successfully located and confronted the suspect.”
• Georgia Dayes
  • “Georgia was diagnosed with leukaemia this year. Since then she has been determined to make a positive difference before starting chemotherapy by helping to raise money to support others going through similar experiences. Georgia has chosen to fundraise for The Little Princess Trust – one of the largest charity funders of childhood cancer research in the UK, providing real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.”

“In The Face of Adversity” Award with Water Babies

• Mandy Neal
  • “Mandy was taken to hospital on New Year’s day in 2024 after suddenly falling seriously ill. This turned out to be sepsis which caused her to lose her hands and feet in a quadruple amputation. It was a risk her sons had to take to save her life and after a year in hospital has come through some incredibly tough challenges including running across the finish line of the Yorkshire marathon with both of her sons Ben and Jack in October!”
• Lesley Wright
  • “Lesley has faced cancer and two strokes this year. While fighting her illnesses she has still endeavoured to help everyone and anyone around her. For instance, her daughter was facing hard times and ended up having to move city. Lesley did everything and anything to ensure that she could settle back down, moving her belongings, paying towards her deposit etc.”
• Ollie Cousins
  • “At 13, Ollie lost his dad. Following this difficult time his relationship with his mum broke down. Nine days before his 16th birthday, the night before his GCSE maths exam, he had no choice but to leave home. After a long period of sofa surfing and uncertainty, he was placed in a local youth hostel. He was then referred to Safe and Sound Homes (SASH), a youth homeless prevention charity. Ollie stayed with a SASH host for 18 months and it completely changed his life. Ollie now uses his experience and skills to help change the lives of other young people facing homelessness by giving back to his local community.”

Educator of the Year Award with Total Foodservice

• Lisa Harrison, Cub Scout Leader
  • “Lisa’s dedication to the scout movement is outstanding – she’s given up so much spare time to educate children. She prepares for every Monday cubs evening, organises activities and takes them on trips including camping weekends. She always makes sure the children have a fantastic experience.”
• Andy Bowen, Coach at United Response
  • “Andy has been supporting me on a one-to-one basis. I’m autistic and also struggle a lot with my confidence and anxiety due to a lot of bad experiences I’ve endured. Andy has helped boost my confidence. He’s helped me find the confidence to write, record and release my own songs, helped me get paid gigs and helped me gain that self belief that was lacking before.”
• Sam Smith, Applefields School
  • “Moving up to secondary school is even harder when your child can’t talk. Right from the beginning Sam made it much easier. He has always been incredibly passionate about doing his absolute best for the kids in his class – each with different disabilities and needs.”

Incredible Child Award with York’s Chocolate Story

• Megan Dodds
  • “Megan is 15 and has been raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for the last three years in memory of her late Uncle. She has raised more than £1,450 so far for the charity by hosting coffee mornings. Megan is hoping to get over the £2,000 mark soon.”
• Charley Wilson Jennings
  • “At just 13 years old, Charley has already achieved what many only dream of – a two-time World Championship gold medallist in kickboxing and a silver medallist in karate kata. As a lead instructor at Yorkshire Martial Arts, she mentors students of all ages, helping to build confidence, respect, and resilience in every class.”
• Bea and Arlo D’Rosario
  • “Bea and Arlo had an older sister called Darcy who died at six years old due to a heart condition. They joined forces and with help from their parents managed to raise £710 for the children’s heart surgery fund.”

Outstanding Talent Award with The Web Adventure Park

• Stephen Tearle
  • “Stephen is a champion of local talent and has built an inclusive family friendly community theatre group like no other! He believes in everyone, helps build confidences and gives everyone their moment.”
• Shany Hagan
  • “Shany has grappled with poor vision, a significant challenge that profoundly impacted her daily life and artistic aspirations. However, everything changed following successful vision correction surgery. With her sight finally restored, Shany’s dormant, yet extraordinary, talent as a painter began to blossom.”
• Tobi
  • “Tobi only recently started running for charity and he already raised nearly £3,000. He is planning to do the York 10K this year. He’s been with me on a Monday night going for a run each week. He’s progressing but sometimes wants to give up but he won’t. He just carries on like nothing will stop him.”

Neighbour of the Year Award with Hayley Owen

• Chris Patrick
  • “Chris takes immense pride in his work as a York BID street cleaner. He’s a recognised and well-loved face in the community and is relied on to keep York looking its best for the benefit of the community. He works hard to clean unsightly messes, including human waste and drug paraphernalia, before most of us are awake. He tackles a difficult and undesirable job with a can-do positive attitude.”
• David Scott
  • “David has a high powered job. He drives from work in Huddersfield to coach more than 100 children in cricket four times a week. He attends all their games too. On top of that he makes sure the cricket square looks its best at all times.”
• Matt and Sarah Turner
  • “I became extremely unwell and ended up semi-paralysed. I’d been-house bound for several months as the NHS couldn’t give me a wheelchair. Matt and Sarah went out and bought one so I could get out of the house. They wouldn’t accept any money. They also offered to pay my bills and lend me £1,000 to cover everything.”

The Parent or Guardian of the Year Award with Mama Doreen’s Emporium

• Jessica Evison
  • “After losing my brother, Nathan, aged 19 to his mental health, my mum dedicated herself to raising awareness of mental health and helping so many people along the way. She regularly raises money for various charities and offers a listening brew at her cafe where people can come and chat over a cuppa. After my brother died, mum made sure we still talked, laughed and cried when we talked about our brother who was such a huge character in our lives – despite her dealing with her own grief.”
• Wilma McFarland
  • “For the last two years, my mum has been through a really rough time with personal health issues including sepsis and subsequent kidney failure. I have Crohn’s disease and struggle almost daily with the symptoms. Even though my mum has her own stuff she never fails to be there to support me and my children. She goes above and beyond always.”
• Dale Waddington
  • “Dale’s son Ralph was diagnosed with a brain tumour and went through surgery. The family was supported by York’s OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity. Dale wanted to support other families in his situation by fundraising for OSCAR’s. He took on a 24 hour rowing challenge at Wigginton Squash Club, training for months beforehand. On the day he rowed 190km – the equivalent of rowing from York to Birmingham.”

The final award, the Ultimate Hero Award, will be open for voting the night of the event.