News / Community of Purpose
Final call to nominate ‘inspiring young heroes’ of Bristol
Bristol Young Heroes Awards are returning for their twelfth iteration as the city prepares to recognise the unsung young heroes who are making a difference through their efforts for their families, communities and the wider Bristol area.
The event is organised by the award-winning social enterprise, Community of Purpose, led by Amy Kington. The awards ceremony, taking place in July, will celebrate inspiring young people from Bristol across nine categories, including:
- Action Hero
- Caring Hero
- Creative Hero
- Entrepreneurial Hero
- Environmental & Sustainability Hero
- Fundraising Hero
- Learning Hero
- Sporting Hero
- Super Hero
Oscar’s extraordinary fundraising efforts for Bristol Children’s Hospital did not go unnoticed, as the staff nominated him for the Action Hero award last year
Amy Kington, founder and chief executive of Community of Purpose, said: “There are some truly incredible young people in Bristol – in the words of The Who, ‘the kids are alright!’
is needed now More than ever
“The stories shared each year showcase real strength and selflessness, despite the challenging circumstances many of the finalists have faced. The awards ceremony always fills me with pride to be a Bristolian.”
Additionally, the High Sheriff’s Award will be presented to individuals who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to young people’s services, while the Team of Heroes Award will recognise organisations that have gone above and beyond to support young people.
In 2024, Barney Thomas won the Overall Hero category, while Oscar McKee claimed the Action Hero award.
Barney raised almost £10,000 for the Grand Appeal. The 10-year-old credited Bristol Children’s Hospital for the quality of life he enjoys now after undergoing two surgeries before his first birthday.
Barney said: “I was very happy – and a bit shocked – when I won after fundraising for The Grand Appeal. Since winning, I feel a lot more confident, and Purposeful Pathways has helped me set some future goals. I want to make the people who nominated me proud.”
“If you’re unsure about nominating someone, or even yourself, my advice would be: it’s worth a shot. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose – you’ll meet some amazing people and learn a lot about what you can achieve.”
“The stories shared each year showcase real strength and selflessness, despite the challenging circumstances many of the finalists have faced. The awards ceremony always fills me with pride to be a Bristolian,” said Amy Kington, founder and chief executive of Community of Purpose
Oscar McKee went through a similar ordeal when he suffered a brain haemorrhage. Oscar, who is 17-years-old, received excellent care at Bristol Children’s Hospital during his recovery. His extraordinary fundraising efforts for the hospital did not go unnoticed, as the staff nominated him for the Action Hero award last year.
Speaking about the 2025 edition of the Bristol Young Heroes Awards, McKee said: “The award helped me to step back and reflect on what I’ve achieved since my surgery. I’m a sociable person, and it also gave me the chance to meet new friends and make new connections.”
“If you’re unsure about whether to nominate someone, I would say – 100 per cent go for it! You have the potential to give someone an unforgettable experience.”
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All nominees will be invited to the award night at Bristol Harbour Hotel on July 4. The finalists are enrolled on the Purposeful Pathways programme – a year-long development and mentoring programme designed to help them with next stage of their lives.
Anyone can nominate a young person (aged 11-19) from a Bristol postcode for the awards, and self-nominations are also accepted. The deadline is March 28. To learn more, visit, www.communityofpurpose.com/projects/Bristol-Young-Heroes-awards
All photos: Made for Impact
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