Boro Hero awards

Two selfless friends who gave up their time in the early days of the pandemic to support the NHS and care homes have received Boro Hero awards.

Charlotte Roche and Charlotte Young have been honoured by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston after their efforts were praised by Cllr Joan McTigue.

The pair helped create and manage a network of dedicated volunteers who made scrubs for use in hospitals and social care settings.

The huge sewing operation was coordinated on Facebook and saw thousands of items made and delivered.

Cllr McTigue said the efforts of the two Charlottes reminded her of stories she had heard about the “war effort when women at home knitted gloves and scarves for our troops”.

“These two ladies certainly rallied the troops during lockdown and the troops came forward in numbers to provide much needed equipment for so many people - they truly deserve this accolade,” Cllr McTigue said.

Mayor Preston added: “I’m grateful to Cllr McTigue for bringing the compassion of these brilliant women to my attention.

“Like so many others around Middlesbrough they and everyone involved in this outstanding effort did all they could to help their community during such a tough time.

“They’re definitely Boro Heroes and I thank them on behalf of everyone who benefited from their dedication.”

A Middlesbrough man with a remarkable story of “sacrifice and determination to help others” has been awarded a Boro Hero award by Mayor Andy Preston.

Charlie McColgan, 61, from Linthorpe, served with the 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers serving in the Falklands conflict before becoming a Cleveland firefighter and then running his own business.

After retiring from his position as co-owner of the Beautiful Blind Shutter and Flooring Company, Mr McColgan has dedicated more of his time to charity and helping others.

Horrified by the atrocities in Ukraine, he has made several trips to the country’s border to deliver urgently needed medical supplies.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “Charlie is something of a Middlesbrough superhero. From the Falklands war to helping Ukrainians in need, his life is a story of incredible sacrifice and determination to help others.

“If anybody deserves to be known as a Boro Hero it’s Charlie. What a privilege to meet him.”

Mr McColgan said: “I am totally humbled by the award but it’s not why I do it. I need to thank my wife Julie, she puts up with a lot. I do things on a whim and she is an absolute angel for letting me be who I am.”

Alongside other former veterans, Mr McColgan has so far raised £36,000 for the South Atlantic Medal Association by motorcycling thousands of miles each year to visit the graves of the fallen from the Falklands conflict.

He also paid tribute to his friend Chris “Puggy” North who travels with him and with whom he is writing a book about their adventures.

The two recently completed a trip to Ukraine to provide supplies and on their way back were able to evacuate four Ukrainian women and two of their pet cats to Leipzig in Germany.

Mr McColgan was nominated for the award by his friend, Peter Lacy, who said: “He is one of the people literally will do anything for anyone. Nothing is too much trouble and it’s always done with a good heart and a smile.”

A sweet shop owner who has helped provide Middlesbrough Food Bank with more than a tonne of food has been honoured.

Jamie Johnson who runs JJ’s Sweet Surprise in the Hill Street shopping centre is the latest Boro Hero and has been presented with his award by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Jamie and his staff have been thanked by the Trussell Trust for donating the equivalent of more than 1,000kg of food – for context that’s the weight of a cow or two grand pianos – between September last year and April.

The business also provided more than 500 Easter Eggs during one donation drive and give sweet treats for children who would otherwise go without.

They also offer their customers the opportunity to make a donation to the food bank and generously nearly half choose to.

Jamie was nominated by members of the public for a Boro Hero award.

Mayor Andy Preston said: “Not only does Jamie run a brilliant business but he makes sure other people are supported. He’s really enterprising in his business and also in the way he cares for others. Jamie is a truly deserving Boro Hero.”

Jamie said: “I just want to say thank you. I don’t know what to say, I don’t do this for awards I do it to make people happy.

“I want to say thank you to our customers too. I think it’s amazing what they do and how they always want to help.”

A big hearted group who have raised nearly half a million pound for local good causes have been named the latest Boro Heroes by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Mr Preston said the Teesside Family Foundation was a "fantastic phenomenon" for the town.

The foundation, which was started in 2017, not only supports many local activities but also provides specialist equipment for disabled people, support for the elderly, homelessness help, and support for forces veterans.

The charity has raised somewhere in the region of £400,000 over the last four years.

It has also arranged many fundraising events raising thousands of pounds to help provide treatment for poorly children and specialist equipment for children with disabilities.

Co-founder Tony Wedlake and trustees Kev Ness, Toni Conroy and Jill Clayton were presented with the Boro Heroes award by the Mayor at the Transporter Bridge, where they were joined by Boro legend Bernie Slaven - a big supporter of the group.

"I never do anything for awards, I have never applied for any award," said Tony. "When we got the Boro Hero award it gave us a massive boost, it's unbelievable.

"For someone to recognise for what we do is great but we will just plough on doing what we do trying to help people."

Tony was also recently named Middlesbrough's Citizen of the Year for 2021 in an event at the Town Hall.

Mr Preston said: "Teesside Family Foundation is a fantastic phenomenon and Middlesbrough is a better place for having them and Tony Wedlake."

At the age of just 16 Matthew Rowe is already a stalwart in his community.

For the last four years the Middlesbrough College student has been a constant presence litter picking in his Trimdon ward community and across the town as a whole.

And he has also helped remove fly-tipping and contributed to the local environment in other ways such as planting trees.

For his contribution he has been named as the town's latest Boro Hero by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Matthew said: "I got started because I was sick of seeing the amount of litter and flytipping that blights our communities across Middlesbrough, and I started to do something about it! 

"I keep it up because I want to make the area I live a better place for the people of this town and I don't like seeing litter and mess.

"In the future I would love to see some anti-littering campaigns so hopefully it would get the message across to the people of the town to take care of where they live."

Mr Preston said: "Matthew is a star and he's a role model to people from the ages of 16 to 96. Matthew shows real commitment to his community and the whole of Middlesbrough by litter picking almost every day.  

"I'd like to thank Matthew and everyone who helps keep Middlesbrough tidy."

In the two years the Boro Hero awards have been running Matthew received more nominations for the prize than anyone else.

Among those to appreciate his efforts include family and friends, passers-by and even people who have just seen praise for him on Facebook.

Some of the comments include: "He is an amazing young boy and I think he needs to be recognised with a Boro Hero Award so other young people take inspiration from him! What a star Matthew is!"

And also: "Matthew, who is a hard working community lad who works so hard to keep his community and the area he lives in top shape, Matthew commits every weekend to litter picking, painting and sweeping and much more around the Trimdon Ward area which is where he lives."

A Middlesbrough Bus Station security guard who saved the life of a commuter three times in his first week in the job is the town's latest Boro Hero.

On-duty security guard Bryan Stokell was first on the scene when a worried member of the public alerted security staff that a man had collapsed on the floor.

Bryan's colleague Kenny Coyle was also at the scene and helped to keep onlookers calm and called an ambulance, and Street Warden Terry Clarke helped with compressions while Bryan got a defibrillator from the office.

"I could see he was in a bad way and totally unresponsive. I checked for a pulse but it was very weak, and then it disappeared," said Bryan, describing the incident previously.

He continued: "I started with the chest compressions but his eyes were already rolling back in his head and he had turned blue, I knew it wasn't good.

I kept on with the chest compressions and then I heard a breath, but it stopped again. I did more compressions and I heard a breath again but he was very weak and he slipped away again.

He started breathing again for the third time with the help of the defibrillator and then the paramedics arrived and took over.

I didn't have a clue what had happened to him after that. I was in total shock to be honest. I rang the hospital later that day and they told me he had made it, I was so relived, it was a good feeling. They said I had saved his life."

Andrew Watson, the gentleman who had collapsed, had suffered three cardiac arrests, a heart attack and a stroke.

The Great North East Air Ambulance response team were quick to congratulate Bryan in a letter to the Bus Station Supervisor which read: "Without Bryan's actions it is likely that this episode would have had a very different outcome, and the gentleman would likely have died."

Bryan has now been recognised as a Boro Hero by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston - with the lifesaver saying he was "overwhelmed" by the award.

Mr Preston said: "Bryan's quick thinking and actions have undoubtedly saved Mr Watson's life - nothing could be more heroic than that.

"This award is just a small way of us all to say thank you. Bryan and everyone else who helped that day deserve a huge round of applause."

A selfless Teessider has told of her pride at the care and compassion of members of her Facebook group being recognised.

Helen Daggett's voluntary role as administrator of the Freebies Teesside (& Surrounding Areas) has led to her being named as the latest Boro Hero by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston

Now in its sixth year, the site offers local people the opportunity to "freecycle" - give away - their unwanted goods to both reduce the growing landfill problem and to support struggling families and individuals.

However in the last 12 months the group has stepped up to the plate in the coronavirus pandemic to offer help, support and guidance to the most vulnerable in society.

Helen was nominated for a Boro Hero award by a number of people who also pointed to her voluntary work arranging and preparing food hampers and meals for struggling families throughout the year and at Christmas helped create around 200 food and toy hampers for local people.

They highlighted that Helen also helps with the homeless, ensuring they have warm meals at the weekend, warm clothing, sleeping bags, tents, masks and sanitiser amid covid.

Another reason for her nomination was that Helen had also created a sub group to help with school uniforms encouraging local families to donate their old uniforms to others and also to help with the school proms with members donating dresses, suits, shoes, make-up and other items.

One nominee wrote of Helen: "Helen will always say she can't do this without the group and her admin team, but without the work she puts in daily, especially in the run up to Christmas the group and admin team couldn't do it without her.

"Helen, is an amazing lady with a heart of gold, helping the struggling families in the area daily over the years not just during the pandemic."

True to form Helen said: "I don't like a fuss but I do love the fact that Freebies Teesside (& surrounding communities) is being recognised for the amazing group that it is and for everything we achieve by working hard together on a daily basis.

"Witnessing members bending over backwards to come together and offer help to each other through hard times and struggles, even though they have never met before, is so heart-warming and I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group."

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Helen Daggett and Freebies Teesside is Middlesbrough at its best - looking after each other. Brilliant work by everyone involved."

A young Middlesbrough businesswoman has been honoured for her selfless response to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

Alisha Sadiq is the owner of beauty product supplier House of Sadiq which is located on Kings Road in North Ormesby.

And when the pandemic began 12 months ago the first thoughts of the 22-year-old was how she could help others.

Soon, with help from mam Rabeener, she was preparing care packages for care home residents across Teesside.

Before long they had prepared and delivered 10,000 packages which included a mixture of items to help the fight against covid-19 such as hand sanitiser and masks and more general care items.

As a result of her selfless acts Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has declared Alisha, who also recently graduated from Teesside University in a business management course, as the latest recipient of a Boro Hero award.

The Mayor said: "What Alisha and her mam did at the start of the pandemic was really fantastic.

"At the time they could have been forgiven for worrying about what it would mean for their business but instead all their thoughts were on how they could help others.

"Alisha is a truly deserving winner of a Boro Hero award."

On hearing she would be receiving the award Alisha said: "I said ‘are you sure they've got the right person?' It's nice to be recognised but really we just wanted to help."

A man of "optimism, harmony and ambition", Idrees Rashid has been recognised as a Boro Hero.

Long-serving community champion Idrees has been involved in many matters which promote Middlesbrough's communities over the years.

He is the driving force behind the not-for-profit media group (Community Voice FM) which operates CVMF Radio - which literally gives a voice for people of Middlesbrough's diverse communities and has built a loyal and engaged audience base since its launch more than a decade ago.

More recently Idrees has also been involved in Middlesbrough's response to the Covid-19 pandemic by promoting public health messages in communities across the town.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said this was an action which "ultimately saves lives" as he honoured Idrees as the town's latest Boro Hero.

Mr Preston said: "Idrees is a truly great community asset for our town. He's a man of optimism, harmony and ambition - which is exactly what we need."He's the driving force behind CVFM, a great example of a truly independent media outlet. Idrees goes above and beyond and is involved in many things, including with our BAME communities.

"During the Covid pandemic Idrees has been on the frontline working with communities across the town to promote public health messages that ultimately save lives. We're lucky to have him."

Among the many community initiatives Idrees is involved in is the annual Tees Valley BME Awards.

The awards celebrate achievements across the board from personal achievements to collective success for organisations who have advanced the opportunities for BME communities and demonstrated positive change.

The Boro Hero award turned the tables on Idrees who is more used to giving out awards than receiving them.

He said: "It feels quite strange. We are usually trying to find people working within communities to give them an accolade.

"Sometimes people put me forward for things and I tend to shy away but for all the work we do with communities and through the radio station I do appreciate people acknowledging it."

A mam with a huge heart who brought Christmas joy to hundreds of families while raising money for her terminally ill friend has been named a Boro Hero.

Caring Nicola Debnath-Warren, 35, has been championed by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston after she was nominated for the award.

Nicola, a mother-of-four, was joined by her aunt, Audrey Tait, in making Santa visits to families around Middlesbrough.

They called at people's homes in an illuminated campervan to drop off presents and pose for socially-distanced photos with excited children.

Nicola started the visits only a day after she left hospital following surgery.

"The kids were over the moon," Nicola said. "It was magical for them and it was nice to be able to lift spirits."

Around £1,100 was raised in three days which Nicola is to donate to her friend Leanne Foster.

Leanne is hoping to make this year "extra special" for her two children after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Nicola said Leanne's story was "harrowing" and herself and Audrey - an "absolute gem" - were determined to try and help the family have a memorable Christmas.

Nicola's friend Nichola Morby nominated her for the Boro Hero award.

The pair have been best friends since meeting at Park End Primary School 30 years ago.

In 2015 Nicola arranged a "white wedding" when Nichola's parents renewed their vows after her mum Carol was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Nicola has helped several families in their hour of need in recent years, raising thousands of pounds, often with the support of her aunty Audrey.

Nichola said: "Nicola is one in a million. I've never known anyone with as big a heart as her. She will drop everything for anyone. Nicola is 100% a Boro Hero."

Nicola was "shocked" to be nominated for the award but was delighted to accept.

"It's really nice to feel appreciated," she said, adding her thanks to Ernie Ward from North East Van Club for his support for the Santa Visits fundraising.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Nicola has done so much for so many Middlesbrough families.

"This year has been tough for everyone, but selfless Nicola, along with her aunty Audrey, has been able to spread some cheer and help a family going through a really difficult time.

"When I heard just how much Nicola has done for others in the past few years I knew straight away she was deserving of the Boro Hero award."

One of the unsung heroes of Middlesbrough's coronavirus pandemic response has been recognised with a top town honour.

John O'Brien's selfless efforts have seen hot meals delivered to those in need throughout the first lockdown period and beyond.

Since March the semi-retired joiner/decorator has been hand-delivering 50 Sunday lunches and 50 mid-week meals to the elderly and vulnerable across the Cannon Park and town areas.

That's a staggering 1,200-plus meals since the pandemic took hold back in March, and that's not to mention some 600 food parcels also distributed to those in need.

Initially operating entirely on his own, John has since been supported by Teesside Family Foundation and Teesside Help, and now has plans for special Christmas dinner deliveries.

He's also had support from Tom Best at the Green Tree pub with a recent donation of children's clothes worth more than £200 which will be distributed to those in need by Teesside Family Foundation.

John, 49, said: "At the start of the pandemic people were panic-buying for themselves, but I knew there were people who didn't have any food, and elderly and house-bound people who couldn't get any shopping in.

"The pandemic has hit everybody hard, but some people have slipped through the net, and I just wanted to do something to help.

"People can be embarrassed and don't want to ask for help, but they've fallen victim to circumstances beyond their control.

"The pleasure it gives makes the whole thing worthwhile."

And this week Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston recognised John's amazing effort with the October 2020 Boro Hero Award.

He said: "The coronavirus pandemic has been really tough for everyone, but it's also brought out the very best in some amazing people at the heart of our communities.

"John O'Brien typifies that selfless, generous, caring Boro spirit that makes this town what it is.

"He's a credit to himself and Middlesbrough, and he richly deserves this Boro Hero award."

John has set up a GoFundMe page for his Christmas initiative - you can donate online.

Selfless Darren Daniels went through an agonising four-month wait on his own health after saving the life of a known drug user found unconscious in Middlesbrough.

The Neighbourhood Safety Officer for Middlesbrough Council accidentally pricked his finger on a used needle while helping to resuscitate the man in the car park behind Iceland on Linthorpe Road.

The frightening incident happened on December 9 last year.

Taking up the story, Darren said: "I was with a colleague talking to a beggar outside Tesco Express on Linthorpe Road when a drug user I know ran up to me saying someone was out of it behind Iceland.

"We ran over and found a male unconscious with a heroin needle next to him. I asked the other drug user to move the needle to a safe place.

"The guy was someone we knew, we'd supported him in the past and had also taken enforcement action against him, he was a drinker and hadn't taken heroin for a long time as far as we knew.

"The other drug user offered to give him naloxone to bring him out of it so we tried half but nothing happened so we gave him the rest and as I've gone to put it back in its sheaf it was really dingy and low light beneath the building's overhang and I've somehow just slightly pricked myself.

"There were three trainee nurses there as well who were helping. When the ambulance arrived I went to the hospital with him and they asked him straight away if they could test him for X,Y and Z and he said fine..."

Two weeks later on Christmas Eve big-hearted Darren and his colleague were hosting a Christmas party organised off their own backs at World Buffet 2 for around 100 of Middlesbrough's most vulnerable people, including the homeless, beggars, and victims of domestic abuse and their families.

And it was on that day of December 24 he received a phone call from James Cook University Hospital informing him that the man whose life he had saved had tested positive for Hepatitis-C.

Tragically the man, who was known to Darren through his work helping the most vulnerable people in Middlesbrough, died that same day on Christmas Eve.

Luckily after four months Darren was tested and received the news that he had not contracted the disease.

"It was a massive relief," he adds modestly.

For his actions, following which he declined to take a single day off work, and for organising the World Buffet 2 event for the vulnerable - and for always going above and beyond the call of duty, Darren has been named the latest Boro Hero by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Mr Preston said: "Darren's story is shocking and frightening but his actions and his attitude are inspiring and thank God it has the outcome it does for him.

"I can't praise highly enough the work Darren and his colleagues do day-in day-out to keep the public safe and to help the most vulnerable people in our town. He is a true Boro Hero and it's right we say thank you to him."

Middlesbrough's newest Boro Hero Gary Hamilton has been praised for making "great things happen" in his hometown.

Every week between 1,000 and 1,500 people in East Middlesbrough take part in activities organised by the team at Active Tees Valley.

The community interest organisation set up in 2016 and later took over responsibility for running the Pallister Park centre and then the Brambles Farm Community Centre.

They are now transforming the Middlebeck Social Club into the East Middlesbrough Performance Centre which will host shows, music gigs and other occasions including dance events.

Across the three venues people of all ages are catered for through sport, activities and social events.

Gary Hamilton from Active Tees Valley has become the latest recipient of a Boro Hero award from Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

The Mayor said: "Gary is a fantastic asset for Middlesbrough. His energy and passion for the town, especially east Middlesbrough, helps to make great things happen. To me Gary is a true Boro hero!"

The 41-year-old, himself from Pallister Park, said: "I'm very humbled and this is an award for everyone involved - the Active Tees Valley team, Youth Focus North East, Thirteen group, the local community and local councillors who have been very supportive, particularly Lee Garvey, Donna Jones and Janet Thompson.

"None of us do it for the limelight, we do it for the community. What we are trying to do is have a positive impact in a challenging area - one of the most deprived in the UK let alone Middlesbrough.

"We wanted to do something in the heart of East Middlesbrough, I'm from here, grew up here and see some of the challenges."

A retired couple who picked up 280 bags of rubbish in six months have become the latest Boro Heroes.

Irene and Freddie McCormick go litter picking at least three times a week on Middlesbrough's Easterside estate, with Irene saying "I love living on this earth and I don't like seeing it like this".

The mammoth effort began 12 months ago and the couple, from Marton Manor, only began tallying their litter picking haul in June last year.

Irene, 71, a retired nurse and Freddie, 76, a retired heavy goods vehicle driver, have now been given a Boro Hero award by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

Explaining how they got started, Irene said: "It was about February last year I had an appointment at the hospital, it was a Monday and a really cold day and on our walk I said to Freddie I've never seen so much rubbish in all my life.

"I thought about it and said if it's still there on Wednesday I am going to go and clean it up. It was and I went off myself and got six or seven bags.

"I took it to a friend's who lives nearby and I asked if we could put some of it in their bin, but they'd seen a council worker with a lorry picking up rubbish.

"We asked him if we could leave this litter in the lorry and he was really nice to us and seemed really pleased.

"He gave us a litter picker and a load of green bags - then we went out all the time. Our kids went to Easterside school and we thought we would do that estate because we used to live there."

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "They are just brilliant people and I love them.

"If we had 100 people like Freddie and Irene the whole of Middlesbrough would be spotless and the world would be a better place.

"They quietly get on with it and never ask for praise and they deserve a round of applause from the whole town. I think they are true Boro heroes."

Irene added: "We live on this planet and I love living on this earth and I don't like seeing it like this. If everybody did something about it, it would make a difference. If I pick up a piece of litter that means a lot to me and a lot of people are grateful.

"We go when we can. I enjoy doing it three times a week but in the summer it was more than that I look after some older people and I do their shopping but in between then it's like therapy - it's nice to get out and walk."

A Middlesbrough Council worker has been hailed a hero after chasing a knife-wielding supermarket raider for over a mile.

Area Care Operative John Welsh's quick-thinking bravery was recognised this week with a Boro Hero award from Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston.

John leapt into action when he saw the man struggling with staff outside Morrisons at Berwick Hills on October 9, and feared for the safety of nearby schoolchildren.

The 37-year-old described seeing a 'commotion' before seeing light flashing off the blade of a large kitchen knife.

He said: "He was waving it about - there were some schoolkids with their parents nearby. I've jumped from the van and ran over to him and tried to get him to put the weapon down, but he tried to attack me."

With no thought for his own safety, John then gave chase, pursuing the knifeman through Berwick Hills, in and out of gardens, along Penrith Road, across Ormesby playing fields and finally onto Siddington Walk and Premier Road.

Throughout the ten-minute pursuit, John kept up a running commentary via a 999 call to Cleveland Police, updating them on the suspect's location, and dodging wild swipes of the blade as his quarry tried to fend him off with threats to kill.

John added: "At one point a lady came out of her house, but I told her to go back inside and lock her doors.

"He tried to hide in a garden, and when I tried to coax him out he got close and took another swipe at me.

"When I was joined by a police officer, I jumped over the wall and grabbed him by the legs and we both held him down until more officers arrived.

"I felt like I couldn't just leave it - he was totally erratic and a danger to the public, and someone could have been badly hurt that day."

Knifeman James Harrigan subsequently pleaded guilty to robbery, affray and possession of a weapon, and last month was jailed for six and a half years at Teesside Crown Court.

Presenting John with a Boro Hero Award, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "In his pursuit of a highly dangerous offender, John showed remarkable bravery and tenacity that goes far beyond the call of duty.

"He had no thought for his own safety, but acted to protect others - the sentence handed down by the court shows just how dangerous this man was.

"John's a credit to the Council and the town, and he richly deserves this Boro Hero Award for showing 100% Middlesbrough bravery."

They let their feet do the talking - and good causes across Teesside are walking tall thanks to their efforts. The Boro Walkers Association have picked up the October Boro Hero Award for their tireless fundraising work.

Launched by elected Mayor Andy Preston, the Boro Hero Awards are recognition of those who go the extra mile, and make a real difference to the lives of those around them.

And the latest recipients embody the spirit that brings out the very best in Middlesbrough's communities.

The Boro Walkers Association was formed in 2013, when co-founders Pete Livingstone and Paul Randall got the ball rolling by completing the full 84-mile length of Hadrian's Wall in just two days.

In just a few weeks they'd raised more than £12,000, and as their numbers began to grow, so did the number of challenges they took on, and the number of local charities they were able to support.

With more than 200 members, and more than 5,000 members of their Facebook page, the Boro Walkers have raised a staggering £170,000 to date.

Fundraising activities range from long distance walks and football tournaments to running events, boxing and evening entertainment, and this year's chosen charities include Butterwick Hospice, the Teesside branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Lorne House.

Co-founder and Chairman Pete Livingstone said: "From that first phone call, the Boro Walkers has grown into something that brings the whole community together on a big scale.

"Lots of people who wouldn't normally go out walking have thrown themselves into it, and what's been achieved is down to them.

"Every penny that comes in goes to the chosen charities - nothing is taken out to cover overheads or expenses.

"We are only accepting this award on behalf of everybody who has participated in the various events since 2013, fundraised and supported us on Facebook - without them we are nothing."

Presenting the Boro Walkers Association with the October 2019 Boro Hero Award, Mayor Preston said: "What an amazing example set by a group of ordinary lads who between them have achieved something truly extraordinary.

"They undertake some pretty gruelling challenges, but that benefits their own health and wellbeing, and their efforts have changed lives for the better.

"They are thoroughly deserving winners of this month's Boro Hero Award."

For more information on the Boro Walkers Association, email borowalkers@gmail.com or join the group's Facebook page.

The fantastic people who make Middlesbrough such a great place to live and work will be celebrated with a new monthly award.

Launched by elected Mayor Andy Preston, the Boro Hero Awards are recognition of those who go the extra mile, and make a real difference to the lives of those around them.

Tireless community activist Bini Araia is Andy's pick for the inaugural award, with nominations for future awards to be invited from local people. 

Andy said: "Middlesbrough has many amazing people who make a real difference, for their communities and for the whole town - but not all of them get the credit they deserve.

"This first Boro Hero Award is highly deserved recognition of Bini Araia's passionate and kind-hearted commitment to improving Middlesbrough, and helping those in need.

"His work covers an amazing range, from running a martial arts project that supports the integration of refugee children, a community allotment in Albert Park and organising litter picks, to professional and charitable work that includes helping new arrivals find their feet, learn English and make a positive contribution.

"He's even played a role through his charity work in partnership with the University Hospital of North Tees to run a programme supporting 36 refugee doctors and other health professionals, with three already having secured full-time roles in the NHS."

Bini said: "The work I do is my way of saying thank you to the country at large, and the community of Middlesbrough in particular for allowing people like me to re-start our lives.

"I'm a real believer that people have a lot of potential, and if we are able to give them a helping hand they can flourish, and make their own worthwhile contribution.

"Middlesbrough sometimes gets a bad press, but I want people from outside to see it as the fantastic place it is.

"This award is truly humbling, but really it's recognition of a collective effort on the part of hundreds, if not thousands of people."

Presenting Bini with the inaugural Boro Hero Award, Mayor Preston added: "Bini's a fantastic example of giving something back, and he's a worthy winner of this first award.

"Middlesbrough welcomed him when he was fleeing persecution, and he has devoted his life to repaying the favour. 

"He's done so much to promote cross-cultural understanding and community harmony, and that's worth its weight in gold." 

Following the first award, it will be down to local people to nominate those they want to recognise.

The Mayor will pick each month's Boro Hero from the list of nominations, with the winners also invited to attend the prestigious Civic Community Awards in April 2020 where an overall Boro Hero of the Year will be announced.