Five inspirational local residents have been recognised for their selfless work in the community at the 2026 North Herts Heroes awards.

The winners were revealed at a special ceremony on Thursday, March 19, hosted by the Chair of North Herts Council, Cllr Keith Hoskins, at Lucas Lane Sports Club in Hitchin. The annual awards celebrate volunteers from across the district who make a positive difference to people's lives.

Each of the winners received an engraved trophy handcrafted by Letchworth Men's Shed, along with a gift voucher in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

This year's North Herts Heroes are:

Brian Noble – Green Award

Brian leads the 'Blitz an Open Space' litter-picking initiative, building a network of volunteers helping to keep North Herts clean and green.

Sybil Wallace – Caring Award

Sybil volunteers for a number of organisations including One YMCA and the Best Before Café, supporting families and helping redistribute food to those in need.

advertisement

Maureen Horton – Dedication Award

Maureen has volunteered with Home-Start Hertfordshire for more than 22 years, supporting vulnerable families and making a lasting difference to parents and children.

Maria Esson – Health Award

Maria supports the African Caribbean Seniors & Luncheon Club and works with Everyone Active, helping improve health and wellbeing in the community.

Stanley – Young Star Award

Stanley, a sporting apprentice, has used his own experiences and boxing to inspire younger children, becoming a role model for other young people.

Cllr Keith Hoskins said: "It's a true honour to meet the remarkable people who make North Hertfordshire so special. A huge congratulations to all our nominees; the sheer volume of voluntary hours they have invested made the judges' decisions incredibly difficult. Our North Herts Heroes represent the very best of community spirit in our district."

The ceremony was attended by local civic leaders and community organisations including Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire, Settle, and the North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Service.

advertisement

The evening was supported by local businesses, with music from Five on the Four, photography from Danny Loo Photography and catering by Curd & Corks.

Videos showcasing the work of this year's winners are available on North Herts Council's YouTube channel.