Hartlepool Heroes returns this summer to celebrate town's unsung stars of the community

The unforgettable evening, dedicated to the town’s most selfless and inspiring individuals, will take place on Friday 13th June.

Nominations are now open, giving the public the chance to shine a spotlight on those who consistently go above and beyond to make a difference in Hartlepool.

The prestigious awards ceremony will once again fill the historic Borough Hall on the Headland, creating an emotional atmosphere as the remarkable stories of local heroes are shared.

The PFC Trust, the charity established by Frances and Patrick Connolly, is proudly organising Hartlepool Heroes in close partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool Carers.

Kelly Brooks, event organiser and The PFC Trust’s operations manager, is calling on local businesses to get involved and with the help of valued sponsors there should be a memorable experience for all the shortlisted candidates.

She said: “We need local businesses to join us by sponsoring this event, giving them valuable visibility and allowing them to support an event that delivers incredible recognition to the volunteers and those who make a difference across the town.”

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be a partner in these awards.

“The community spirit of the people of Hartlepool is second-to-none and these accolades provide a marvellous opportunity to celebrate our unsung local heroes.

“It’s set to be a truly inspiring event and I hope people across the town will come together to support it, both in terms of sponsorship and by submitting nominations.”

After being absent from the social calendar last year while the Borough Hall was closed for repairs, the return of Hartlepool Heroes has generated excitement among organisers.

The nomination window is open for a month, closing on Friday 9th May.

Following the close of nominations, a dedicated judging panel will convene during the week commencing 12th May to review the entries. The sponsor for each category will then have the honour of selecting the winner, with the exception of The People’s Choice Award, which will be decided by a public vote.

This year’s event will feature 14 award categories, an increase of three from previous years, celebrating the diverse contributions of individuals and groups across Hartlepool.

Winners in each category will receive a trophy, a certificate and a £500 donation to the cause of their choice.

Kelly said: “We are proud to present 14 awards across a variety of categories, celebrating the diverse landscape of Hartlepool, from dedicated volunteers, community leaders to young change makers and unsung heroes.

“Every award highlights how our town comes together to support one another.”

This year introduces the Creative Trailblazer Award, recognising individual creativity and innovation, and the Creativity in the Community Award, celebrating a business or group’s impactful creative collaborations.

There is also a Youth Worker of the Year award in memory of Sue Rowley. This special award pays tribute to Sue, a dedicated targeted outreach coordinator whose inspiring commitment to youth work left a lasting impact on the young people of Hartlepool.

The full list of the 14 Hartlepool Heroes awards categories includes: Creative Trailblazer Award, Creativity in the Community Award, Community Champion, Emergency Services Champion, Green Community Champion, Sports for Development Award, Teacher of the Year, Youth Worker of the Year in memory of Sue Rowley, Volunteer of the Year, Young Carer of the Year (U17s), Young Adult Carer of the Year (Aged 18-24), Adult Carer of the Year (Aged 24+), Lifetime Achievement, and People’s Choice.

* Nominations for the Hartlepool Heroes awards can be submitted via The PFC Trust website at www.thepfctrust.org/hartlepoolheroes. 

* Businesses interested in sponsoring the event should contact Kelly Brooks on 07394 638009 or email events@thepfctrust.org