Community heroes honoured at BBC Essex awards

Noah, who had hydrocephalus, epilepsy and cerebral palsy and went by the nickname Background Bob, painted on pieces of cardboard

The father of a young artist, who raised £250,000 for a hospital before he died, has been honoured among other community heroes during a special awards evening.

Nathan Jones helped his son, Noah, to gather the support of celebrities and auction off homemade paintings for the children's unit at Colchester Hospital.

He was one of eight winners at the BBC Essex Make a Difference Awards in Hatfield Peverel on Thursday.

The radio station's executive editor, Shahid Hussain, said it had been a pleasure to hear their stories.

"This evening is just a small way of recognising and celebrating some of the truly exceptional people in our county," he said.

"To hear from so many special individuals has been a privilege for the team at BBC Essex and it’s been our pleasure to give them all the appreciation they fully deserve."

Lorraine Howard has continued to defy doctors, six years on from receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis

Make a Difference was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic as a virtual notice board.

Millions have interacted with it across all 39 local BBC radio stations and hundreds were nominated for the Essex awards with the 32 finalists attending Hatfield Place on Thursday.

Terminal cancer patient Lorraine Howard, who cares for her epileptic 28-year-old daughter, was also awarded for her inspirational efforts during the ceremony.

Among the well-known names judging the awards were Olly Murs, Louie Spence and Eddie Hearn.

The winners were as follows:

• Volunteer - Leanne Kell, a mum-of-three from Thaxted, gave up her time to help her local Scouting and Girlguiding groups, as well as helping school children to learn how to read. She was praised for her enthusiasm and always making time for children with extra needs.

• Community Group - U-Turnships helps young people in Thurrock who have been marginalised by mainstream education. It gives them a safe space to explore their passions and develop their talents with creative outlets.

• Animal Award - Charlie Boy's Angels was set-up in memory of a dog killed while trying to protect its owner - both of whom had been sleeping rough at the time. The group, from Southend-on-Sea, offers a safe place to stay for both homeless people and their pets.

• Carer - Lorraine Howard, from Colchester, has never let her stage 4 triple negative cancer stop her from helping others, including her epileptic 28-year-old daughter. Lorraine was nominated by her husband for her tireless dedication "through thick and thin" to their family.

• Great Neighbour - Hayley Clarkson was described as an "all-round lovely person" who her neighbours were grateful for. She has taken in both people and their parcels at her home in Benfleet, causing the person who nominated her to say: "Please never move house!".

• Green - PACE Manningtree is made up of volunteers living in Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford who share concerns about the environment. Since 2019, it has grown from being a small group to a recognised charity, whose activities include running an allotment, monitoring the water quality of the River Stour and planting trees.

• Fundraiser - Nathan Jones helped his son, Noah, get celebrities onboard with a special art project from their home in Dedham. Noah, who lived with hydrocephalus, epilepsy and cerebral palsy, painted on pieces of cardboard and together with his dad, they managed to get Ed Sheeran and others to add their own brushstrokes to the work. Artwork from the project raised £250,000 for the children's unit at Colchester Hospital when it was auctioned before Noah's death in November 2023.

• Bravery - Millie, from Benfleet, was diagnosed with the rare hip disease Perthes at the age of three. It has led to her being in pain daily and needing regular check-ups, but despite this she continues to smile. She was praised for her bravery when she stood up in front of her primary school class and told her peers about the condition.