Essex Freemasons are encouraging people across the county to nominate those who make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others as nominations remain open for the 2026 Pride of Essex Awards.
Essex Freemasons are proud to sponsor the Unsung Hero Award, one of six categories celebrating the people who make Essex a better place to live. The awards also recognise achievements through the Star of Essex, Child of Courage, Team of Pride, Community Champion and Inspirational Youth categories, each supported by organisations committed to celebrating the very best of Essex.
The Unsung Hero Award recognises individuals whose compassion, kindness and selfless dedication make a lasting difference to their communities, often without ever seeking recognition themselves.
Last year’s winner, Matt Carr, from Braintree, was recognised for transforming the lives of families with children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Through POP Essex, Matt has created a lifeline for hundreds of families, raising more than £75,000 to provide activities, support and opportunities for children with SEND.
The judges also Highly Commended Robert Keenan, whose work educating young people about knife crime is helping to keep communities safer, Caroline Fagg, whose years of volunteering have supported vulnerable children through Kids Inspire, Brian Oliver, a volunteer Community First Responder whose dedication has helped save lives across the Dengie area, and John Weallens, a Chelmsford chef who spends his evenings providing hot meals to homeless and vulnerable people.
These remarkable people come from different backgrounds, but they all share one thing in common. They quietly dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others without expecting recognition.
David Barton, Community Engagement Lead for Essex Freemasons, said:
“Every community has someone who quietly goes above and beyond for others. They may be a volunteer, a carer, a fundraiser, a coach or simply a neighbour who is always there when people need them.
They rarely ask for recognition and often go unnoticed, which is exactly why the Unsung Hero Award is so important. Essex Freemasons are proud to sponsor this category and encourage everyone to think about someone who deserves to be recognised.
Last year’s finalists show the incredible impact one person can have, and we know there are many more inspirational people across Essex whose stories deserve to be told.”
The six categories for the 2026 Pride of Essex Awards are:
• Star of Essex – sponsored by Chelmsford Star Co-op
• Child of Courage – sponsored by Susie Cornell & Aiden Mitchell
• Team of Pride – sponsored by Essex Life
• Community Champion – sponsored by Potters Resorts
• Unsung Hero – sponsored by Essex Freemasons
• Inspirational Youth – sponsored by P&A Wood
Nominations close on 14 August 2026, with the winners announced at the Pride of Essex Awards on 6 October 2026 at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.
Anyone can nominate by visiting www.poeawards.org
Images:
• 2025 Winners
• Logo
