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Bristol’s inspiring young heroes recognised at annual event
It was a night of recognition and celebration for the city’s inspiring young people. The Bristol Young Heroes Awards returned for its 12th edition at its usual venue, the Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa, welcoming some 300 attendees, including sponsors, well-wishers and the families of the nominees.
The annual awards ceremony was organised by Community of Purpose, an award-winning south Bristol-founded social enterprise led by Amy Kington.
Community of Purpose CIC was founded in 2016 with the aim of supporting young people in the city who might otherwise be deprived of opportunities in life for a variety of reasons.
Since its inception, the organisation has supported over 1,700 young people, through its various schemes and programmes.
Grace Peters, who won the award for Caring Hero, with her mother – photo: Dougie Allward/Made for Impact
The jewel in its crown is undoubtedly the annual Bristol Young Heroes Awards, where nominees graduate through to the Purposeful Pathway Programme, powered by Dandara, receiving learning opportunities, mentoring and skills development to help them step confidently into the next stage of their lives.
The event itself is the culmination of months of preparation, involving the shortlisting of a large pool of nominees and the coordination of sponsors to help bring the celebration to life.
Winner of Community Hero award Aniyah Bailey-Gordon receiving a heartfelt reception from her family – Dougie Allward/Made for Impact
The annual awards recognise extraordinary young people and organisations who have often beaten the odds and overcome personal challenges to make a positive impact on their immediate families and local communities.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Amy Kington, co-founder and chief executive of Community of Purpose, lauded “the extraordinary spirit of the city’s young people”.
She said: “This is the 13th year that we’ve been running the Bristol Young Heroes Awards. It’s like the Pride of Britain, but for young people here in the city.
“It’s the best night in the city’s annual calendar, because we’re not only celebrating amazing young people who have done incredible things — we’re also celebrating a lot of the youth organisations and the scaffolding that supports young people throughout the year.”
On Purposeful Pathways, she said: “After the night of the awards, thanks to some investment from Dandara, we run a programme called Purposeful Pathways. It’s about supporting the young people beyond the night of the awards — for 12 months and beyond.
“We take them on a guided discovery journey so they can think about their mindset, their motivators, what their strengths are. They learn how to speak in public confidently. They get the support of a mentor who can help them unlock doors and create opportunities, so their potential can truly collide with possibility.
“It’s amazing — and many of the young people who have graduated from the programme go on to further or higher education, paid employment, or take up volunteering work that’s incredibly valuable, both for them and for the city.”
Bristol Young Heroes Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of young people in the city under 12 categories – photo: Dougie Allward/Made for Impact
Before the award night got underway, the event was graced with tightly choreographed routines with the courtesy of St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, The Actors’ Workshop Bristol and Rise Youth Dance.
With three nominees shortlisted in each category, the awards night went on to celebrate young heroes across 12 categories, such as fundraising hero, learning hero, creative hero and overall hero.
The much-loved TV presenter and former Bake Off star Briony May Williams led the proceedings, joined by her co-host Noah Peart, who is no stranger to the Young Heroes Awards, having been nominated as a Fundraising Hero last year.
Since the inception of the awards, GKN Aerospace and UWE Bristol have provided vital support as the principal sponsors. They were joined by a host of local businesses whose backing helped make the event possible.
Rise Youth Dance receiving a warm reception following their tightly choreographed routine – photo: Milan Perera
While all the winners thoroughly earned their accolades on the night, some stories stood out and resonated deeply with the audience.
One such story was that of Aliese Chydzhan, the winner of the Learning Hero award. Aliese arrived in England with her mother in 2022, having lost everything after their home in Ukraine was bombed. Just a year later, she was sitting her GCSEs in a foreign language. Now studying for her A Levels, she has received offers from five different universities.
She has developed a deep love for English Literature and Language, and her growing fluency has given her the quiet reassurance of “feeling native”, all while overcoming significant mental health challenges.
Community of Purpose was co-founded in 2016 by Amy Kington to support young people of the city – photo: Milan Perera
UWE Bristol sponsored the Learning Hero award. Speaking to Bristol24/7, Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE Bristol, highlighted the importance of education and its power to transform lives.
He said: “The awards are about the city and its people, and the university (UWE) is really proud to support learners. We sponsored the Learning Hero Award because we truly believe in the power of education — it transforms lives. We see that happening every single day.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see young people in Bristol stepping up. And it’s not just about academic achievement — it’s so much more than that. It’s about who they are as human beings: showing kindness, reaching out, and helping others. That kind of character is worth its weight in gold.
“That’s why these awards, and the whole process behind them, are so important. We’re proud to have been a sponsor from the very beginning. This matters — and the more people who recognise how much it matters, the better Bristol will be.”
On the next stage of young learners, he added: “This is about future generations. We transform lives — and we do that through opportunity. I want to see all young people who have the talent, ability and desire to come to university, to come to their local university.
“So come and see us. Come and discover what the university is really about — even if you think it’s not for you. Just come and have a look.”
“We sponsored the Learning Hero Award because we truly believe in the power of education — it transforms lives. We see that happening every single day,” said Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE Bristol – photo: Milan Perera
Another deeply inspiring story was that of Grace Peters, who won the award for Caring Hero. Grace is the primary carer for her mother, supporting her with daily routines from managing her medication and preparing meals, to calling ambulances when she is unwell.
On top of this, Grace also volunteers at a care home in Stoke Gifford, offering her time and companionship to dementia patients all while navigating and overcoming her own mental health challenges.
“Amy (Kington) and the team have done what they always do — brought together people from across the city, including lots of local businesses, so they can see the amazing impact our young people have on Bristol,” said Helen Godwin, metro mayor for West of England
The awards were presented by prominent figures from each respective category. For example, Harry Thacker of Bristol Bears returned for a second year to present the Sporting Hero award. The rugby ace expressed his admiration for the remarkable young individuals nominated in the category, praising their dedication and achievements.
He said: “It really restored my faith in humanity. It was an incredible evening, celebrating an amazing group of young people who are genuinely doing things that humble you. These kids are wise beyond their years.
“With so much negativity in the news, an event like this is a powerful reminder of all the good out there. These young people are truly inspiring.
“So when I was asked to come back this year, I didn’t hesitate — I said, ‘Yes, please!’ It was such an amazing experience.”
“It really restored my faith in humanity. It was an incredible evening, celebrating an amazing group of young people who are genuinely doing things that humble you,” said Harry Thacker (r), Bristol Bears ace who presented the Sporting Hero award – photo: Milan Perera
Among the dignitaries who attended the event were metro mayor Helen Godwin; Peaches Golding, His Majesty’s lord-lieutenant of Bristol; the high sheriff of Bristol, Kalpna Woolf; and lord mayor Henry Michallat.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Helen Godwin, the newly elected mayor of the West of England, lauded the indomitable spirit of the young people of the city.
She said: “Yes, it’s a wonderful event. There are so many people here. Amy and the team have done what they always do — brought together people from across the city, including lots of local businesses, so they can see the amazing impact our young people have on Bristol.”
She continued: “I was fortunate enough to serve for five years as a permanent member for children and young people in the city. During that time, I had the privilege of working with — and getting to know — so many young people from all kinds of backgrounds.
“What’s really important about what Amy and the team have created is that we’re celebrating success in many different forms. As we looked through the awards tonight, I noticed we’re recognising everything from community heroes to caring individuals, teams, and action heroes.”
The most anticipated award of the night, the Overall Hero award, went to Chloe Askew, who has faced significant challenges with unwavering determination and optimism, even when the odds were stacked against her.
Chloe was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Year 10, which meant taking extended time away from her studies for hospital appointments and treatment. Despite this, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of cancer among young people, even completing a 10k Shine Walk while she was still unwell.
Now studying for her A Levels, Chloe hopes to pursue engineering at university and is passionate about shining a light on neurodivergence in STEM, advocating for inclusion and representation in the field.
Chloe Askew, the Overall Winner of Bristol Young Heroes Awards, has raised awareness on young people living with cancer – photo: Milan Perera
Speaking to Bristol24/7 Chloe said: “I received the award — and honestly, there were so many amazing people here tonight — just getting that recognition means so much. It shows that the things I do actually matter to the community, and that’s really empowering for me. It motivates me to keep going and do even more.
“As for what’s next — I’ll probably continue similar work. I’m planning to go to university to study science and want to keep advocating for disabled and neurodivergent people, so they can have the same opportunities as everyone else.”
James Durie, former chief executive of Business West and ambassador for Community of Purpose lauded the contribution of young people for the city – photo: Milan Perera
The full list of winners are as follows.
- Action Hero: MJ Forster (sponsored by TP Regen)
- Overall Hero: Chloe Askew (sponsored by GKN Aerospace)
- Caring Hero: Grace Peters (sponsored by UK Digital Marketing)
- Community Hero: Aniyah Bailey-Gordon (sponsored by GENco)
- Creative Hero: Rusharn Clemmings (sponsored by Exacta Tech)
- Environment & Sustainability Hero: Kofi Maclean (sponsored by Elmtree Garden Contractors)
- Fundraising Hero: Louise Hunter (sponsored by Water 2 Business)
- Learning Hero: Aliese Chydzhan (sponsored by UWE)
- Sporting Hero: Joseph Stephens (sponsored by Lancer Scott)
- Super Hero: Alicia March (sponsored by Bristol Water)
- High Sheriff’s Award: Aalia Aidid (sponsored by Nebula IT)
- Team of Heroes: Bridge Learning Campus Inclusion Team (sponsored by UES)
Also speaking to Bristol24/7 was James Durie, former chief executive of Business West and ambassador for Community of Purpose.
He said: “Tonight is a brilliant celebration of what young people in Bristol achieve. This is about recognising and celebrating the amazing things they do, often quietly and without expecting recognition. It’s a chance to shine a light on their contributions and the positive impact they’re making in our city.”
The 12th edition of Bristol Young Heroes was held at Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa with the participation of some 300 attendees – photo: Milan Perera
Main photo: Dougie Allward/Made for Impact
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