THE inaugural Hailsham Hero Awards took place on Friday 18th October, which proved that not all superheroes wear capes.
Almost a hundred-strong crowd packed the Hailsham Town Football Clubhouse to find out who would win the prestigious Hailsham Hero title in five categories, recognising individuals and groups who are committed to their town.
More than 3,500 votes were cast during the last stages of the awards after the shortlisted names were announced in September. The categories were: Charity of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year, Group/Organisation of the Year, Young Person of the Year and the headline category, Mayor’s Hero of the Year Award.
The Hailsham Hero Community Award was set up by the Town Council, originally in 2017, to recognise those people who have achieved great things for the local community. It was presented annually at the council’s annual meeting. During the COVID period, the awards were halted and we never reinvented.
Working alongside the Mayor, Councillor Paul Holbrook, local media outlets Hailsham News and Hailsham FM joined forces to bring back the awards to recognise those who give back to the town. The awards were also supported by Sweetheart’s Party Boutique and Diamond Discos to ensure it all went smoothly.
Neal Mullery and Wayne Spicer presented the awards and announced the winners in each category:
Winner of Fundraiser of the Year: Millie Edwards
Millie has completed a great deal of charity work for the YMCA, she organised ‘Love in a Box’ for the residents of the YMCA’s in the local area. She also did a skydive in Salisbury raising over £500. The YMCA means a lot to Millie, which supported her during what she called ‘A difficult time in her life’.
Shortlisted: Wayne Spicer
Winner of the Charity of the Year: East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service
The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) was established in 1996 as a voluntary group to aid individuals who come across sick, injured, orphaned, or trapped wildlife. The charity now helps around 6,000 casualties annually, offering essential help and relieve the suffering of our wildlife and return to the wild.
Shortlisted: Rosie’s Register, Children with Cancer Fund and Hailsham Foodbank.
Winner of the Group/Organisation of the Year: Pass it On: Community Fridge
The Pass it On Community Fridge is a non-means-tested initiative which stops thousands of tonnes of food going to waste by allowing residents to enjoy it, rather than letting supermarkets dispose of it. Zoe Prior and her team were nominated for her continuous hard work seven days a week.
Shortlisted: Hailsham Hockey Club, Hailsham Boxing Club, Hailsham Fire Station
Winner of the Young Person of the Year: Harry Sefton
Harry was nominated for a Hailsham Hero Award due to his ongoing commitment to the 2nd Hailsam Scouts for a number of years and now helps more than 40 children develop their “skills for life’ alongside the
Leadership team. His colleagues described Harry ‘Like a dynamo with an enthusiasm to support others and thinks of others at all times before himself.
Shortlisted: Tilly Avery, Jess Avery, Mollie Crosbie
Winner of the Mayor’s Hero of the Year Award: Tony Biggin
Tony was nominated to recognise his hard work and dedication to ensure the Hailsham Festival takes place in the town each year. The people who nominated Tony said he’s done so much for the town – writing, producing plays at the Hailsham Pavilion as well as being the Composer of String, The Musical about Hailsham’s history. Tony gives his time completely free and is a worthy winner of the prestigious Hailsham Hero Award.
Shortlisted: Alison Rodley, Zoe Prior, Mark Bomber Hopgood.
Paul Gibson, editor of Hailsham News said: “It was a fantastic event which brought together all these amazing people who are dedicated to giving something back to their communities and making our town an amazing place. A huge well done to everyone who entered, as anyone who spends their time helping others should be congratulated and recognised.”
The date of the next year’s event are due to be announced in the next few weeks. More photos will appear in the November edition of Hailsham News.
