The YorkMix Hero Awards – Meet our finalists for 2026

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

The YorkMix Hero Awards 2026, with Yorkshire Profiles take place on 5th June – and we can now reveal our finalists, all nominated by you.

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 2026

Best Boss Award with Wizu Workspace

• Stuart Wood from York’s Chocolate Story
  • “Stu is always there to make the team smile and puts other people before himself. He takes into a count our personal lives outside of work and makes accommodations to make everyone happy. He is always looking for ways to give back to the team, whether that be at staff parties, or organising a rugby trip. His hard work and dedication to the company needs to finally be acknowledged after all these years! Thank you for everything!”
• Sophie Hope-Budworth from Socktopus, York
  • “Sophie is not just a boss but a friend. She provides endless support, consideration, compassion and smiles to all of her team members, and will go above and beyond to keep us safe, protected and heard. You often hear big companies sprout how ‘we’re all a family here’ and rarely does it ever fall true, but, with Sophie it’s not something she preaches but something she makes you feel. As a proud Yorkshire lass, born and bred, hearing the stories of this amazing city and the wonderful support she provides to all of our instore visitors is truly an inspiration.”
• Keira McKenzie from The Drovers Arms
  • “Keira is an exceptional leader who consistently goes above and beyond for her team, making her a perfect candidate for the Best Boss Award. Keira leads with professionalism, empathy, and unwavering support. She creates an environment where staff feel confident, respected, and motivated to succeed. Always approachable and understanding, she takes the time to listen to her team, offering guidance and encouragement while ensuring everyone feels valued.”

The Imagination Award with The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring

• Sarah Schiewe – Schiewe Ceramics
  • “Sarah is one of the most imaginative and creative people I have ever met. I recently worked with her on the Discover:Explore project which was designed to encourage people back onto the local High Street and using independent businesses. From concept to delivery her ideas were fantastic! She created an art trail in both Haxby and York City Centre that was free for the public to enjoy, which thousands of people did including many families and children.”
• Sue Parton
  • “Sue has decided to exhibit her late husband’s extensive collection of F1 model cars that he made be stripping down kit cars and customising them; for a donation to Saint Leonard’s. Visitors can see the exhibition on a Saturday morning by pre booking online at Parton’s Pitstop. As a legacy to Nick, Sue came up with this really fantastic idea of showcasing his model’s to try and raise some much needed funds for St Leonard’s; an organisation both Sue and Nick greatly benefitted from in Nick’s last few days.”
• York Inspirational Kids CIC
  • “Continually finding ways to help families with disabled/autistic children. Whether through practical help such as form filling, through to activities for disabled/ autistic children, activities for siblings and Feel Good Fridays – mental health activities for parents eg walk & talk, chat & create etc.”

Volunteer of the Year

• Ann Barnett
  • “Ann works for the local residential home but always does extra work helping everyone. She volunteers for St John ambulance, giving over 1000 hours of free services and she takes 50+ children away each year that she doesn’t get paid to do, she helps so many young children around the Yorkshire area.”
• Heather Davidson
  • “Heather puts every hour into the People’s Pantry to help people in need, even outside of pantry hours, she has paperwork to do, shopping to do etc. She puts a 100 and 10 percent in even though she has a disability, pain with her back, no feeling in her feet, yet she thinks of everyone before herself.”
• Zoe Bounds
  • “Zoe is the chairperson of Breast Friends York and despite also holding down a full time job, she sets up events and supports so many of our members. Breast Friends York is a peer to peer support group for anyone in the York area who has ever had a diagnosis of breast cancer. We have evening coffee meet ups as well as a lunch club and evening meal meet up each month which is free to all members. In the 12 years the BFY has been running Zoe has been a source of comfort, strength and support to so many.”

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

• Stuart Lambert
  • “An extremely worthy candidate who has made a significant difference within his local and wider community using his strength drive and passion to help others. A modest gentle giant who goes above and beyond initiating original challenges to test himself while always providing for others using physical and mental strength.”
• Dan Croxen-John
  • “Dan Croxen-John set off from New York in May 2025 and didn’t stop until he reached Ushuaia — the very bottom of South America. Seven thousand, three hundred and thirty miles. Ten countries. Nine months. No support vehicle, no backup plan, no safety net. Just Dan, a bike, and a fundraising page for Plan International. Plan International works across Africa, the Americas and Asia to advance equality for girls — keeping them in school, ending child marriage, protecting them from violence, and backing them to shape their own futures.”
• June Baker
  • “June Baker is a dedicated local community fundraiser for York Against Cancer, and has raised more than £10,000 for the charity since 2021. Her fundraising journey began after the loss of her sister in 2019. Wanting to honour her memory and give back, June set herself a goal: to help others facing cancer feel less alone. June’s first activity was a walking challenge raising over £1,000 and sparking a passion that continues to grow. She has since organised an impressive range of events, from bric-a-brac sales at her home to seasonal raffles, autumn and Christmas fairs, fashion shows and ticketed community gatherings such as afternoon tea and quiz nights.”

Outstanding Bravery Award with The Drovers Arms

• Tonie Martians, North Yorkshire Police BTP
  • “I had a mental health crisis which lead me towards the train track this has happened of two occasions and both times Tonie Martians was professional and used a friendly manner also got me the help that I needed there and then and he made time to make sure I was ok and took me back to the office and made me a nice cuppa tea and had a friendly chat.
• Jackie Lewis
  • “I would like to nominate Jackie for the Outstanding Bravery Award for the courage and quick thinking she showed during a recent incident at work. When a colleague became unwell and collapsed unexpectedly, Jackie stayed calm, called for assistance, and remained with them until help arrived. Her reassuring manner and willingness to step in during a stressful situation helped others stay calm and ensured the colleague received support quickly.”
• Paul Craven
  • “Paul saved a colleague at work when he had a heart attack by giving CPR and using the defibrillator until the ambulance arrived.”

“In The Face of Adversity” Award with Genie Clean

• Annette Oliver
  • “I am delighted to nominate Annette Oliver in recognition of her exceptional courage, resilience and unwavering dedication to her pupils. Her response to life‑changing medical challenges has been nothing short of extraordinary. Following a long and difficult battle to save her leg — including multiple surgeries and the amputation of several toes — Annette underwent a major leg amputation in Oct 2024. Fitted with a prosthetic training leg, she was back in school within two weeks of her operation. Showing exceptional character, Annette led a school visit to Normandy, co‑ran an exchange trip to Germany, and completed a gruelling charity walk for SSAFA in the Yorkshire Dales.”
• Liz Banbury
  • Miss Banbury got a chronic illness but didn’t want to abandon the children at her school, she was headteacher, so held off treatment until a school holiday. When initial treatment was complete she returned to school on a part time basis but was unable to continue due to her health, again going off for more treatment. She has recently had to be retired on doctors advice with ill health but is coming back in to see the children and parents at the school on her last day.
• Natasha Troy
  • “In October 2023, Natasha was home alone with her two youngest children (2.5yr and 3months) when she had a freak accident which almost cost her her right leg. She found a way to get to her baby and waited 4.5hrs for an ambulance whilst continuing to breastfeed her. She had two major operations within a week to save her leg, followed by months of intense physio, learning to walk again, whilst her baby did too! She dug in with sheer grit to get back to normality for her three girls, and to continue working within the NHS.”

Educator of the Year Award with Total Foodservice

• Jeff Clark
  • “Jeff is an inspiration to many. Starting his school journey struggling with dyslexia and ADHD, to being kicked out of school due to lack of support for his needs. He has turned his problems into power and created an unbelievable business Art Of Protest. He has used the business for good by changing the street art game and educating the underrepresented through art. Over the last 8 years he has taught 10,000+ young people how to spray paint, use their voice and show that traditional learning isn’t the only way forward.”
• Rickie Wilson
  • “We (Next Door But One, Menfulness, and University of York) have had the privilege of working with Rickie through the Next Gen Menfulness project at Inspire Academy, and have seen firsthand his exceptional leadership as Head of School. Inspire Academy supports students facing behavioural/emotional and mental health challenges. Rickie meets every young person where they are, creating a safe, inclusive environment where they feel valued and understood.”
• Miss Lizzie Banbury
  • “Miss Banbury is an extraordinary headteacher whose impact on her school community is nothing short of profound. I write as a parent, a volunteer and staff member, and as a friend — a perspective that has allowed me to witness the depth of her dedication and the lasting difference she makes every single day. While continuing to lead and give so much of herself, she faced the unimaginable challenge of stage 4 breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and now living with lifelong treatment. Even in the face of this, her focus remained steadfast — always putting her children and her school first.”

Incredible Child Award with York’s Chocolate Story

• Dexter Enslin
  • “Dexter has raised £8,665 for Candlelighters cancer charity after his six year old brother was diagnosed with Leukemia a month ago. Has received a message from English rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield praising his efforts and is still continuing to raise more.”
• Hope Day
  • “Hope Day, 13, voices the lead role in the new animated film ‘What is Dyslexia?’ alongside Hollywood actors Jeremy Irons and Liv Tyler. The short film reframes perceptions of dyslexia. Hope spoke about the positive elements of living with her diagnosis on BBC Breakfast and attended the recent film premiere in London. Hope’s amazing work to promote the positives of being dyslexic, follows her recent starring role in Annie at York Theatre Royal and her part in The Mount’s winning dance team at The Great Big Dance Off regional finals!”
• George and Stanley Fisher
  • “Last December, they decided, from the goodness of their hearts, to do something to help others. Stanley said he wanted to help people who aren’t as lucky and George said that if everyone spread a little kindness, the world would be a better place. From that, their idea of 12 acts of kindness was born. Visiting a care home with cards and treats, made decorations to raise money for a hospice, and donated some of their own toys. They even did extra chores to raise money for more donations. They took treats to an animal charity, thanked blood donors, handed out handmade Christmas cards, sent care packages abroad, volunteered their time, and gave cards to hardworking care staff.”

Outstanding Talent Award with Sunshine Day Nursery

• Fulford School Ultimate Frisbee Team
  • “The Fulford School Ultimate Frisbee team is the definitive candidate for the Outstanding Talent category because they have transformed a niche school club into a world-class powerhouse thanks to their brilliant coach Mr Carson. Their achievement is statistically staggering: a single York school has produced 19 players for the Great Britain national squads this year – spanning the Under-17 and Under-20 Women’s and Open teams. This isn’t just local success; it is a total ‘frisbee takeover’ of the national stage.”
• Maggie Wakeling
  • “We are proud to nominate Maggie for this award in recognition of her exceptional talent, professionalism, and the lasting impact she has on every performance she is part of. Recently, she has also gained wider recognition through her appearance on Channel 4’s Your Song, a testament to her growing reputation and appeal. Beyond her vocal ability, Maggie is a true professional. She is reliable, dedicated, and generous in her collaboration with fellow performers. Her calm presence and positive attitude contribute enormously to the atmosphere backstage as well as on stage.”
• Gabriel Tapper
  • “At just 13 years old, Gabriel possesses a vocal gift that is truly rare; he doesn’t just sing, he commands a room, stopping passersby in their tracks with a maturity and depth that defies his age. He stepped into the role of lead singer for our junior school choir, composed of children aged 4 to 11. Despite being the eldest, he embraced the younger students with kindness, becoming a role model they deeply admire. Together, they rehearsed a rendition of Robbie Williams’s “Love My Life,” using the performance as a platform for charity. Through this initiative, Gabriel and the choir successfully raised £1,000 for Comic Relief.”

Neighbour of the Year Award with Hayley Owen

• David Walker
  • “Dave is the best neighbour in the world, he lives next door to two mature ladies and nothing is too much trouble, got a leak he will fix it, need a sign putting up he’s your man! Need a hole digging he’s there with the spade! Need your hedge cutting he will say how much! Need your car cleaning he’s there with the bucket and polish! Overall he will do anything you ask and never wants thanks, he deserves to be rewarded.”
• Cyndi Walton
  • “Cyndi has been there for our local community in York for as long as I can remember. She has worked at ASDA Monks Cross for the last 25 years as a Community Champion but has gone well over and above her allotted time and responsibilities to ensure the community is cared for in York. She volunteers at many different local community groups like The Do Drop In providing home cooked food for locals in need, and the community café in Pocklington. We appreciate her support over the years so much and think she is the ultimate Neighbour to all in York.”
• Brian Smith
  • “Brian has been a good neighbour for more than 50 years. During the last 10 years he sadly lost his wife and has had his own health issues but he continues to help the neighbours around him – always with a cheery smile and a little joke.”

The Parent or Guardian of the Year Award with The Web Adventure Park

• Paul Langton
  • “My dad is amazing. Last year my mum passed away leaving me (19) my dad and my sister (15). He has been so strong this past year supporting my family and being our rock when times where hard for us all so I think he deserves to be nominated so he can be recognised for the amazing person he is.”
• Robert Arnold
  • “I think my dad should be nominated because he is the best parent that I have. I was adopted at 6 months old by him and my mum. My mum is currently quite poorly at the moment, so my dad has been doing the best that you can to look after her. And I’m currently poorly at the moment, so he’s currently looking after me as well. At the moment, but he’s been such a hero for me and my mum, throughout my 43 years. I couldn’t have asked for better people to have adopted me, looked after me, and cared for me.”
• Robert Dickson
  • “Parent to Georgie-Mai, 11 years old, who has severe learning difficulties and complex care needs. Rob along with his partner Chloe take care of Georgie so well. On the many occasions Georgie is admitted to YDH as they don’t have a ‘safe bed’ there for her to sleep in her parents have to spend literally every minute by her bedside as she has numerous epileptic fits and would fall out of a normal hospital bed. This Christmas and New Year was spent in St James hospital Leeds so the whole family were there so could be together for the festive period.”

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