Dancers, artists, charity champions and people going the extra mile across Preston are set to be honoured this month.
The first ever Proud Preston Awards takes place and the finalists have been revealed.
Judges had to make their way through more than 100 nominations as the city didn’t hold back in putting forward people they feel make Preston a great place.
The winners will be announced at a glitzy ceremony at the Barton Manor Hotel on Thursday 19 March with John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore and Neetal Parekh on hosting duties at the awards which are a collaboration between the Lancashire Post, Preston City Council, Blog Preston and Central Radio.
Here’s who the judges, Mayor of Preston councillor Sue Whittam, Beckie Joyce from Preston Partnership, Fayyaz Ali a youth and community worker of more than four decades in the city and Sara Muszynska the outgoing Lancashire Young Citizen of the Year picked out to be finalists for each category.
Charity Hero of the Year sponsored by Global Ardour
Angela Rotherham & Anthony Potts
Since their baby Sophia Grace, was sadly born sleeping in June 2025, they have raised over £10k for charities, to support other parents .
Annie Wynn
Annie Wynn’s visionary leadership has transformed Let’s Grow Preston into a thriving, inclusive charity, empowering diverse communities, improving wellbeing, and delivering lasting social, environmental, and educational impact across Preston.
Byron Highton
Byron spends months each year making Christmas happen for struggling families, this year donating over £15,000 in toys. His selfless effort brings joy, dignity, and hope to hundreds. Outstanding.
Gemma Roberts
Gemma Roberts has transformed Preston’s domestic abuse support in under a year, pioneering inclusive services, cross-agency collaboration and community advocacy to keep survivors safe and elevate VAWG issues locally
Jean Foran
Jean Foran is a tireless environmental volunteer whose quiet leadership, deep knowledge, and unwavering commitment to nature conservation has strengthened communities and green spaces across Preston for over 15 years.
Recycling Lives Charity
Recycling Lives Charity champions social impact, transforming lives through rehabilitation, employability and environmental initiatives, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and outstanding commitment to the communities it serves.
Tribal Project
Tribal Project is a charity that dedicate their lives in helping others who are suffering from substance misuse and associated mental health challenges in Preston
Business In The Community sponsored by UK Carline
Dr. Samim
First Class Learning- Dr. Samim works in close partnership with families and local community spaces, supporting inclusive access to education while strengthening community connection, participation & long-term engagement across Preston.
Father Christmas Productions
Father Christmas Productions, delivers joyful festive experiences with professional performers, enchanting interactions, and magical festive moments that delight children and families during the festive seasons.
Sparkle Dance Studio
An inclusive dance studio empowering all ages through movement, creativity, and community, fostering confidence, wellbeing, and lifelong participation in physical activity.
Paisley Training And Consultancy
Paisley Training and Consultancy supports Preston’s adult social care providers through expert policies, training and consultancy, helping local care services deliver safe, high quality, compliant care for the community.
Arts and Culture Hero Of The Year sponsored by Preston Council
Abhinandana Kodanda (Abhi)
Abhi is a visionary arts leader whose work in South Asian Arts has enriched Preston’s cultural life, nurtured talent, and strengthened community cohesion across the North West.
Andrew Sumner
Born and based in Preston, Professional theatre practitioner for 25 years starting in a local youth theatre; now owns his own theatre business in Preston, specialising in theatre in education
Harriet Barlow
An inclusive dance studio empowering all ages through movement, creativity, and community, fostering confidence, wellbeing, and lifelong participation in physical activity.
Jason Marx
Jason Marx is a Preston-based DJ, music historian, educator and events organiser who spearheads community initiatives like Preston DJ Social, Preston Creative Social, and Sexy Woke Disco Club.
Jonathan Cassidy (Jonny Cosmo)
A tireless cultural connector, enriching Preston through grassroots arts, inclusive creative spaces and collaborative projects that bring people together, amplify voices and strengthen the city’s cultural life
The Crafty Penguin Club
Children eagerly anticipate each session, often referring to it as their “happy place,” where they build skills and grow in independence, while parents appreciate having a dependable, enriching, high-quality creative environment they may not be able to offer at home.
Tony Rigg
Tony Rigg is recognised for sustained leadership supporting Preston’s arts and culture, enabling artists, venues, and communities to collaborate, participate, and thrive through inclusive, community-led cultural activity.
Environmental Hero of the Year sponsored by Global Ardour
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
Driven by their motto “Love for All, Hatred for None,” AMYA Preston volunteers actively protect the local environment through large-scale tree planting initiatives and consistent community conservation efforts
Annie Wynn BEM
Let’s Grow Preston encourages and enables repurposing, upcycling and recycling, reduces food waste and creates a sustainable and supportive system across Preston.
Preston BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Preston BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a local volunteer-led charity serving the community through health, education, humanitarian relief, environmental protection and empowerment, supporting local initiatives and urgent global needs.
Theo Thompson
Theo has created a litter picking group after being angry about litter He’s had a great response from media & community
Active Inspiration Award
Bounce Back Netball
Bounce Back Netball transforms women’s sport in Preston. Engaging over 800 women in accessible netball, it promotes wellbeing, builds friendships, celebrates achievements and strengthens connections in the community.
Girls Who Walk Preston
Girls Who Walk Preston inspires women through inclusive, volunteer-led walking and social activities, promoting physical activity, wellbeing, confidence, and community connection, while fostering safety, empowerment, and lasting positive impact across
Harriet Barlow, Sparkle Dance Studio
An inclusive dance studio empowering all ages through movement, creativity, and community, fostering confidence, wellbeing, and lifelong participation in physical activity.
My Stage Company
Supporting local dancers to achieve excellence and high standards in various forms of dance, building confidence and relationships for children and young people.
No Whispers
No Whispers Community Interest Company is focused on eradicating child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation and county lines. They do this by delivering training, workshops, guest speaker events etc
Project Fit Preston CIC
We empower women and girls to be more active without fear and judgement. We use the power of exercise, music, nature and socialising to uplift lives, moods and wellbeing.
Victoria Danson
An inspiration to others after having life saving surgery and showing there is life after an IBD diagnosis and stoma surgery. Educating on invisible illness despite now living with cancer.
Carer of the Year
AnneMaire Rainford
The Masterstaff team is a better place with Ann Marie in it. Constantly striving to do the best for the people she supports.
Keita Ferguson
Keita is an amazing young lady who makes the care world a better place
Education Award
Dr. Samim
Dr.Samim is a private educator, who has dedicated 38 years to delivering nurturing, high-quality & results-driven teaching, transforming confidence and academic outcomes for thousands of children and families across Preston.
Fay Malyon
An exceptionally dedicated learning mentor who tirelessly supports children and families, nurturing wellbeing, building confidence, strengthening relationships, and transforming lives through compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment every single day.
Karen Livesey / No Whispers CIC
No Whispers CIC delivers impactful training and awareness to empower communities to understand, prevent and report child exploitation, fostering safer environments through education, support and transformative safeguarding practices.
Mr John Hankin
John Hankin is the Head Teacher at Corpus Christi. He has been the catalyst for, and has overseen, the unprecedented improvement and success enjoyed by the School in recent times.
Nadean Marshall
Nadean Marshall is an exceptional behaviour and mental health teacher, valued by students, parents, and staff for her unwavering support, compassion, and commitment to inclusive, high-quality learning.
Peter Tiltman
Peter is the founding head of LUSoM, opened in 2022. In its first years the school has excellent results, Ofsted report and ranked 5th in the country by The Times
Preston Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) Preston Creative Exchange
A volunteer-led partnership connecting education, culture, and industry to widen access to creative learning, support youth leadership, and strengthen pathways into creative careers for young people across Preston.
Volunteer of the Year
Colin Marland
Colin Marland is an exceptional Broughton volunteer, working with Broughton High School for 25 years to improve the environment, enhance village aesthetics, inspire community engagement, and lead by example independently.
Gemma Sleight
Gemma selflessly dedicates her time entirely free of charge, giving back tirelessly to her community, creating lasting impact while facing personal adversity, alongside full-time work and raising three children.
Grace Gudgeon
Grace Gudgeon is a dedicated volunteer who, alongside full-time work, founded Girls Who Walk Preston, giving her time freely to create safe, inclusive spaces that support women’s wellbeing and connection.
Hussain Master
As a volunteer, Hussain has excelled enormously and is keen and enthusiastic to progress further as well as volunteer for other charities locally.
Lynn Clarkson
For over 15 years, Lynn has tirelessly supported vulnerable women in Preston’s street sex work, delivering compassionate outreach, health and safety support, mentoring volunteers, and restoring dignity through unwavering commitment.
Robert Gillis
Robert Gillis is a long-standing volunteer whose integrity, reliability, and quiet dedication have helped sustain Let’s Grow Preston and support its most vulnerable volunteers.
Sue Makwana
Sue consistently goes above and beyond to support others, offering kindness and dedication despite her own mental health challenges. Her resilience and compassion make her an invaluable volunteer.
Theresa Moorhouse
Theresa offers compassionate counselling, unwavering dedication, and transformative support, empowering survivors with safety, hope and trust while strengthening our domestic abuse service daily.
Inclusive Leadership Award
Let’s Grow Preston
Let’s Grow Preston demonstrates inclusive leadership, creating safe, welcoming, and empowering green spaces, connecting diverse communities, and fostering wellbeing, skills, and lasting social impact across Preston.
Light Foundation
Light Foundation has been championing inclusivity and diversity in Preston for over 7 years through their monthly gatherings.
Mel Close
Mel Close is a transformative CEO and councillor who champions intersectional equity spearheading the 2025 Community Hub to organizing Disability Pride, Mel empowers marginalized voices through dedicated, lifelong inclusive Leadership.
Community Initiative of the Year
ACE Project
The ACE Project delivers trauma-informed support in Preston, empowering people with complex needs, strengthening communities, and creating lasting, sustainable impact through locally delivered, person-centred services.
Bounce Back Netball
Bounce Back Netball transforms women’s sport in Preston. Engaging over 800 women in accessible netball, it promotes wellbeing, builds friendships, celebrates achievements and strengthens connections in the community.
Girls Who Walk Preston
Founded in 2025, Girls Who Walk Preston has become a powerful community force, creating safe spaces that connect local women, improve wellbeing and reduce isolation across Preston.
Joshua Holden
Joshua Holden and Wolf Entertainment are dedicated to Preston’s community, providing inclusive arts workshops and free entertainment to foster local talent and ensure creative opportunities are accessible to everyone
Let’s Grow Preston’s Horticulture Volunteering Sessions
Let’s Grow Preston Horticulture Volunteering Sessions engage diverse communities in gardening and nature-based activities, which helps improve wellbeing, skills, social connections, and local green spaces across Preston.
Preston Jazz Festival
Preston Jazz Festival is a city-wide co-produced community initiative delivering live music,participation, and creative engagement across Preston, supporting local venues, artists, audiences, and the city’s cultural life.
Preston Masonic Group
Preston Masons proudly support Preston through volunteering and charitable giving, delivering 1,690 volunteer hours, supporting 34 local charities, and investing £33,872 to strengthen and uplift our local community together always
Wot Wud U Do
Wot Wud U Do delivers creative, youth-led community projects in Preston, supporting mental health, education and personal development while empowering young people to grow, connect and thrive.
Proud Preston Award
Annie Wynn BEM
Through values-led leadership and community horticulture, Annie Wynn and Let’s Grow Preston transform green spaces into lifelines — improving wellbeing, restoring belonging, and showing how civic pride changes lives.
Byron Highton
Byron is selfless, caring, lovable, funny, resourceful, intelligent local Preston man , he should be crowned the chief of Preston no one deserves more than him
Cathy Thompson
Cathy has dedicated 25 years to Kidz4kidz theatre group in Preston. She had inspired many children in Lancashire and organised many fund raising events.
Grace Gudgeon
Grace Gudgeon, founder of Girls Who Walk Preston, strengthens community, wellbeing, and women’s safety, fosters civic pride, and inspires connection, volunteerism, and belonging – embodying the very best of Preston.
Rachael Bryson
Rachael has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Preston’s cultural assets amongst the public and within the local council, with considerable success.
Rory Cocker
Rory spends countless hours of his spare time, filming, editing and curating content to showcase the Art, Culture, Traditions and History of Preston City. Preston Pulse is “Proud Preston” personified.
Stephen Walkden
Stephen Walkden is a true embodiment of what it means to be Proud Preston. A lifelong resident of the city, he is inspiring, kind, and humble.
Lifetime Hero Award sponsored by Preston Council
Dr Kailash Parekh MBE,JP
Dr Kailash Parekh MBE, JP is a Preston leader, educator and mentor whose decades of service transformed lives through education, inclusion and community leadership, inspiring generations and strengthening Preston’s fabric.
Fayyaz Ahmed
Fayyaz Ahmed has done some fantastic work over the last 27 years in volunteering to help young people & vulnerable adults across Preston access Health & Wellbeing initiatives.
Guy Topping
Guy Topping is a highly respected business leader whose career spans more than 35 years of sustained commitment to Preston, Lancashire, and the wider North-West.
Natalie Klausen
Natalie Klausen, founder of Let’s Abode, is a lifelong housing leader whose 25-year commitment to Preston has transformed standards, inspired others, and delivered lasting community and economic impact.
Yusuf Musa
A selfless mentor of 25 years, Yusuf Musa empowered Preston’s entrepreneurs with quiet authority. He sought no credit, only the success of others, leaving a golden legacy of community growth
If you’d like to be there to celebrate Preston, you can secure tickets via the Proud Preston Awards website.
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