Volunteer and Sporting Heroes celebrated in award ceremony

Local volunteers and sporting heroes were celebrated at the Braintree District Volunteer and Active Braintree Awards on Wednesday 29 October at Alec Hunter Academy.

The awards were sponsored by Braintree Village and nominations came from sectors including arts, sports, community and culture.

Twelve awards were given out in total on the night, with the following winners:

• Going the Extra Mile – Carol Hearn, Braintree Institute
• Inspirational Role Model – Sue Edwards, Braintree Voices and Braintree Institute
• Long Service - Kate Malyon, Martial Arts, Yong Gi Do Martial Arts Organisation (YGD)
• Outstanding New Volunteer - Pamela Joan Whelan, Trust Links - Growing Together Project at Cressing Temple and Hannah Whale, Halstead Road Runners
• Volunteer Group – Cornerstone Church Volunteers
• Health and Wellbeing Group - Healthwatch Essex Braintree Fella Forum
• Health and Wellbeing Individual - Martine Yates, Sporting Memories
• Sports Coach of the Year - Calley Foyster, Braintree Cricket Club
• Sports or Physical Activity Club of the Year - Rayne Boxing Club & Kinetix Academy
• Sports Personality (Adult) - Graham Eyre, running
• Sports Personality (Young Person) - Bailey Mutlow for kickboxing with The Martial Art Centre

The Volunteer of the Year, who is taken from all the nominations, was awarded to Carol Hearn from Braintree Institute. Carol began volunteering at The Institute as part of the Front of House Team, supporting show nights. Despite the challenges of limited arts funding and the cost-of-living crisis, she has generously donated her time and energy to help keep the community arts venue thriving. Carol was credited for being incredibly positive, an invaluable part of the team and coming in on her days off and uplifting staff, customers and visiting artists alike.

Cllr Mary Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “The Braintree District Volunteer and Active Braintree Awards are always an inspirational night and an excellent opportunity to highlight the hard work done by people in our community to help and inspire others.”

John Wood, Chairman of Active Braintree Foundation, said: “There is some tremendous sport and wellbeing talent in our district and this is the perfect opportunity to highlight and reward the individuals, the groups, the organisers who put in the hard work.”

Winners from specific categories in the sports and physical activities awards will go through to the Active Essex Sports Awards.