YorkMix Hero Awards 2022 – Meet the finalists for Business Hero, Adversity, and Neighbour and Community Award – YorkMix

The YorkMix Hero Awards 2022 are tomorrow! Here are our finalists for The Business Hero, The ‘in the Face of Adversity’, and The Neighbour and Community awards.

Keep reading to meet our fantastic finalists…

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The Hero Awards ceremony will take place at the Principal York on Thursday 10 November.

With thanks to our awards supporters!

The YorkMix Hero Awards 2022 are kindly supported by Yorkshire Profiles – providers of quality assured metal fabrication at the heart of North Yorkshire.

Meet the finalists…

The Business Hero Award

The Business Hero award is sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group.

The finalists for The Business Hero Award are Lauren Addinall – No.1 Health & Beauty, Keith Morris – York Sport and Debbie Brodie and Frankie Hayes – Fancy Dance Shop.

Lauren Addinall owns an award-winning beauty salon and “never actually takes a day off. She will do anything for anybody no matter what, and is strong, independent and hardworking.”

Keith Morris is the head of sport at York Sport and University of York. He has been “instrumental” in bringing events such as the Brownlee Foundation York Schools Fun Triathlon and the York Marathon to the city. Someone who nominated Keith said that he is a “truly inspiring leader who wants to make a real difference through sport.”

Debbie Brodie and Frankie Hayes are “loyal” and “dedicated” employees of Fancy Dance Shop.

The ‘in the Face of Adversity’ Award

The ‘in the Face of Adversity’ award is sponsored by Selby Superbowl.

The finalists for The ‘in the Face of Adversity’ Award are The Millie Wright Charity, Jo and Rich Cadden and Tammy Banks.

During lockdown, Jo and Rich Cadden put on livestream martial arts and fitness classes from their back garden. Once the lockdowns were over, they still struggled financially and with their mental health. One person who nominated them said, “The two of them have always delivered exceptional service as instructors and coaches, even through the incredibly challenging circumstances of the last 2.5 years.”

Nigel and Ceri set up The Millie Wright Charity in memory of their daughter, Millie, who sadly became extremely ill and passed away last year at the age of 13. They set up the charity to support families going through similar experiences, especially those on ward 50 the liver and renal unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital, the same ward that Millie spent many days on. “They are selfless, brave and compassionate people,” said one person who nominated them. “True heroes and deserve recognition.”

After facing a “complex childhood”, abuse, and homelessness, Tammy Banks made it her life mission to interrupt the generational cycle of harm and abuse. Among a range of accomplishments, she is the co-founder of Tave Training – who offer training, coaching and consultancy work to front-line professionals on issues such as safeguarding, equality and diversity, and managing challenging behaviour.

Someone who nominated her said, “She has provided me with more hope and belief in myself than I have encountered from anyone in my 14 years of working life. Working alongside such a wonderful, inspirational and kind person is a massive privilege.”

The Neighbour and Community Award

The Neighbour and Community award is sponsored by Hayley Owen Funeral Directors.

The finalists for The Neighbour and Community Award are York Inspirational Kids, Ryan Swain and Selby Community Fridge.

York Inspirational Kids is a local charity who for the past 11 years has provided support, advice, events and social meetups for disabled and autistic young people and their families. In August this year, the charity pushed to open an ‘All About Autism’ Hub in York, which provides social groups, training and a place for autistic people to come so they are not isolated. One person who nominated them said, “It is run by staff and volunteers that work really hard and from the heart.”

Ryan Swain has “showed relentless perseverance in backing the campaign to save the skate park in Malton from being dismantled.” He used his free time to attend meetings held by the council to give the community a voice.

Congratulations to all of our finalists!

The winners will be revealed in our Hero Awards ceremony at the Principal York on Thursday 10 November.

A big thank you to all our awards sponsors.