North East Community Champions

20/02/2026

We are delighted to share our highlights video from the North East Community Champion Awards 2025 – a truly inspiring evening celebrating the incredible achievements of young people across our region.

It was a fantastic night bringing together schools, families, partners and supporters to recognise acts of kindness, courage, leadership and community spirit shown by pupils throughout the North East. The atmosphere on the night was uplifting and a powerful reminder of the positive impact young people are making in their communities every day.

A huge thank you to our main sponsors, Northern Leaders Trust and the Association of Education Advisers, along with our award sponsors and partners including The Education Network, Muckle LLP, Hart Family Accountancy Ltd, BAM , AtkinsRealis, Brims Construction, Ryder Architecture and Develop North PLC. Your generous support helped make this special event possible.

We are also incredibly proud to have supported Veterans Launchpad on the evening, raising awareness and funds for the important work they do supporting homeless veterans and rebuilding lives through community support.

Most importantly, congratulations to all nominees and winners. You should be immensely proud of everything you have achieved. It is so important that we continue to recognise the North East’s young people and the amazing contribution they bring to their schools, communities and the wider region.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and helped make the evening such a memorable celebration. We hope you enjoy watching the highlights and reliving a very special night celebrating our Community Champions.

18/02/2026

A sincere thank you to Architecture for their sponsorship of the Courage Award.

As Mark Thompson, Principal and Managing Director, highlighted, young people play a vital role in the future prosperity of our region.

Congratulations to our winner, James Thomson, Norham High School and to all shortlisted nominees who have shown exceptional bravery and resilience.😍

Recognising the courage of the North East’s young people is incredibly important, and their strength in the face of challenges is an inspiration to us all. Please keep doing the amazing work you are doing.

Well done James, keep up the great work that you do 🤩 🎉 👏 👏

18/02/2026

Thank you to Develop North PLC for proudly sponsoring the Special Recognition Award.

As Michelle Percy, Chief Executive, shared, supporting initiatives that celebrate youth achievement aligns closely with the values and future of our region. 😍

Congratulations to our winner, Oliver Hills, The Beacon Centre and to all shortlisted nominees who have made an exceptional contribution to their communities.

Celebrating and recognising the North East’s young people is at the heart of these awards, and their leadership, determination and community spirit continue to make our region incredibly proud.😍

Well done Oliver, huge achievement. Keep up the positivity 🎉 👏 🤩

18/02/2026

A further thank you to Develop North PLC for their proud sponsorship of the Special Recognition Award and for helping us celebrate outstanding contributions from young people across the region.

As Michelle Percy, Chief Executive, highlighted, supporting initiatives that recognise youth achievement reflects the values and future of the North East, and this category truly showcased that spirit.

A huge congratulations to our second Special Recognition Award winner, Caleb, Jake and Jayden and to all shortlisted nominees whose leadership, dedication and community impact have been truly inspiring.😍

It is so important that we continue to recognise the North East’s young people and the incredible contribution they make to their schools, communities and the wider region. We hope all of our winners and shortlisted nominees will continue to support the awards and keep doing the amazing work they are doing.

Well done Caleb, Jake and Jayden, fantastic public service 😍 🎉 👏 👏

18/02/2026

Our warmest thanks to Brims Construction Ltd for sponsoring the Young Carer Award.

Richard Wood, Director, recognised the strength, compassion and resilience shown by young carers who provide invaluable support to others. Thanks very much to Lee Kirtley, Northern Leaders Trust for presenting the award this evening.

Congratulations to our winner, Oliver Brown, East Herrington Primary School, and to all shortlisted young carers who balance so much with dedication and courage.

The contribution of young people across the North East is truly remarkable, and it is vital that we continue to recognise and support those who quietly make such a powerful difference every day.

Well done Oliver, keep up the good work 🤩 🎉 🎉 👏

18/02/2026

A big thank you to BAM Construction Northern for proudly sponsoring the Eco Ambassador Award.

Tony Fitzgerald, Construction Director, spoke about our shared responsibility to care for the environment and communities we work in.

Congratulations to our winners, Jack, Noah, Sydney, Amy and Zuzanna from Friends of Hebburn Cemetery, and to all shortlisted eco ambassadors leading the way for a greener future.👏 👏

It is incredibly important to recognise the North East’s young people who are championing sustainability and inspiring positive environmental change across our region. Your passion and leadership are shaping a better tomorrow.

Well done Jack, Noah, Sydney, Amy and Zuzanna, keep up the good work 🤩 😍 🎉

18/02/2026

Thank you to AtkinsRéalis for their valued sponsorship of the Act of Kindness Award.

As Lawrence Inkster, Director, expressed, acts of kindness help shape inclusive and supportive communities that we all want to be part of. Thanks to our Headline sponsor, Les Walton, for stepping in to present the award on Lawrence's behalf.

Congratulations to our winner, Michael Douglas, Hartburn Primary School, and to every shortlisted nominee whose compassion and empathy make a real difference to others.

Recognising kindness in our young people across the North East is so important, and we are proud to celebrate the positive impact they bring to their schools and wider communities.

17/02/2026

Our sincere thanks to Hart Family Accountancy Limited for sponsoring the Young Fundraiser of the Year Award.

As Craig Hart, Managing Director, shared, fundraising can make a huge difference and shows real initiative and compassion from young people. 👏

Congratulations to our winner, Teddy Berriman, Percy Hedley School, and to every shortlisted nominee who has worked so hard to support causes close to their hearts.

The North East is full of inspiring young people, and recognising their dedication to helping others is vital in building a stronger, more caring region for the future.

Well done Teddy, keep up the good work 🤩 😍 🎉

17/02/2026

Thank you to for their generous sponsorship of the Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

As Joanne Davison, Partner and Head of Sports, Education and Charities, noted, the impact of volunteering is truly powerful and inspiring.

A huge congratulations to our winner, Terri Leigh Murray, West End Women and Girls Centre and to all of the incredible shortlisted volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting others.

Recognising the contribution of the North East’s young people is so important, and their willingness to give back to their communities is something we should all celebrate. We look forward to continuing to champion your amazing work.

Well done Terri-Leigh, keep up the amazing work 🎉 🎉 👏 😍

17/02/2026

A huge thank you to our sponsor, The Education Network for proudly supporting the Community Hero Award.

As Shaun Porter, Managing Director, highlighted, strong communities are built by people who step up for others – and this category truly embodied that spirit.

Congratulations to our winner, Amelia Foulkes-Jones, attending Newcastle College, and to all shortlisted nominees who are making a genuine difference in their communities.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the North East’s young people whose dedication, generosity and compassion continue to strengthen our region. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we hope you will continue to support and be part of the awards in years to come.

Well done Amelia 🎉 🎉 😍

The third NE Community Champion Awards 2025, sponsored by Northern Leaders Trust (NLT) and Association of Education Advisers (AoEA), were a resounding success, celebrating some outstanding young people from the region,The awards ceremony, held recently at Vertu Arena, home of the Newcastle Eagles ba...

17/02/2026

The faces of positive change! 🌟

Congratulations to every single winner at this year's NE Community Champion Awards. Newcastle and the wider North East are so proud of you! 🥂👏

The third NE Community Champion Awards 2025, sponsored by Northern Leaders Trust (NLT) and Association of Education Advisers (AoEA), were a resounding success, celebrating some outstanding young people from the region,The awards ceremony, held recently at Vertu Arena, home of the Newcastle Eagles ba...