Braintree district residents who contribute to community support, sport, health and wellbeing were celebrated at the Braintree District Volunteer and Active Braintree Awards.
Braintree district residents who contribute to community support, sport, health and wellbeing were celebrated last night (Wednesday 21 October) at the Braintree District Volunteer and Active Braintree Awards 2026, held at Hedingham Castle.
The awards were sponsored by Braintree Village, venue provided by Hedingham Castle, KI Light & Sound provided stage production and Freedom Leisure provided the goody bags for winners and runners-up.
Nominations came from sectors including arts, sports, community and culture and fourteen awards were given out on the night, including two new awards suggested by the Chairman of Braintree District Council, Cllr Richard van Dulken – Outstanding Contribution to the Community and Special Recognition.
The winners:
Sports Personality Young Person Award – Oliver Wilson, Karate champion
Inspirational Role Model Award – Alison Lilley, Editor of Hedingham’s Parish Magazine
Sports Role Model Adult Award – Freia Challis, BMX champion
Going the Extra Mile Award – Mary Pearce, Little Yeldham Parish Councillor
Sports Coach of the Year Award – Lynne Wouldham, Braintree District Athletics Club
Volunteer Group Award – Crafty Nannas of Castle Hedingham & Braintree District
Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award – Emma Barfield and Michelle Vagg, social prescribers
Special Recognition Award – John Wood, Chairman of Active Braintree Foundation
Health and Wellbeing Group Award – Uplift Run Club
Long Service Award – Margaret Payne, Girl Guiding, Hoppit Mead Nature Reserve and Christ Church.
Outstanding New Volunteer Award – Buddy the Boar and Remy Fitzpatrick, Kinetix Academy.
Health and Wellbeing Award Individual – Rob Widdowson, Soccability
Sports or Physical Activity Club of the Year Award – Braintree Community Netball
The Volunteer of the Year, who is taken from all the nominations, was awarded to Buddy the Boar, the Braintree Town Football Club mascot. Giving freely of his own time, energy and resources, he supports schools, charities, businesses and community events across the district.
Through initiatives such as Buddy’s youth training sessions, he has inspired hundreds of young people to get involved in sport, build confidence and develop new skills. His kindness, dedication and commitment to inclusion, particularly for children with additional needs, have made a lasting impact.
John Wood, Chairman of Active Braintree Foundation, said: “It is always a pleasure to highlight those contributing to health and wellbeing in the Braintree district. We have so much to celebrate and these awards are an opportunity to provide recognition.”
Winners from specific categories in the sports and physical activities awards will go through to the Active Essex Sports Awards.