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Winners revealed for Local Hero Awards 2026

The Local Hero Award 2026 winners.

The winners of the Your Harrogate and Harrogate Town Local Hero Awards 2026 have been revealed following a stunning awards ceremony at Rudding Park.

The annual awards celebrate individuals, teams and organisations making a difference across the Harrogate district, shining a light on extraordinary people who deserve recognition.

The event, hosted by Your Harrogate’s Ricky Durkin and supported by headline sponsor O’Connor Chiropractic, saw winners selected across 14 categories.

Individuals, groups, schools and organisations were recognised for their community work, education, sport, volunteering and fundraising.

And the winners are:

Community Champion - sponsored by Verity Frearson Estate Agents
Winner: David Wells

Employer of the Year - sponsored by Haddletons
Winner: Harrogate Neighbours

Active School - sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Winner: Oatlands Infant School

Team of the Year - sponsored by LWC
Winner: Nidderdale U11’s Cricket Team

Sustainability Award - sponsored by Envirovent
Winner: Open Country

Volunteer of the Year - sponsored by Harrogate Theatre
Winner: Mark Bryant

Teacher of the Year - sponsored by Turkish Baths Harrogate
Winner: Sophia Gardiner (North Rigton Primary School)

Child of Courage - sponsored by David Lloyd Clubs Harrogate
Winner: Eva Blower

Bravery Award - sponsored by Barclay LED Solutions
Winner: Caiden Brown

Sporting Achievement of the Year - sponsored by Oak by Design
Winner: Amhra Dyer-Stott

Parent/Guardian of the Year - sponsored by Divert
Winner: Amanda Shepherd

Charity Fundraiser of the Year - sponsored by Harrogate Neighbours
Winner: Richard Larking

Emergency Services Award - sponsored by Road Safety Talks
Winner: Jessica Ward

Lifetime Achievement Award - sponsored by O’Connor Chiropractic
Winner: John Fox

Your Harrogate teamed up with Harrogate Town to bring the ever-popular event back for a fifth year.

Billed as “bigger and better than ever,” the event welcomed 400 guests to recognise true ‘local heroes’, which three or four finalists named in each category.

Adam Daniel, Managing Director of Your Harrogate, said:

“The Local Hero Awards continue to shine a light on the incredible people and organisations that make our area such a special place to live and work.

“We’d like to thank Harrogate Town for helping us create another fantastic evening, as well as our headline sponsors O’Connor Chiropractic and all of the businesses who have supported the awards this year.”

He added:

“While only one person or organisation can take home each trophy, every finalist should feel immensely proud. 

“To be nominated by the community and recognised among so many inspiring stories means that every finalist is a winner in their own right.”

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