2026 Nominees

Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Eco Skills Learning Centre

A charity bringing people together through practical skills, volunteering and sustainability has been nominated for the Charity of the Year Award, sponsored by Cream Design.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Whitley Excellence Cluster

A collaborative network of 11 South Reading schools has been nominated for the Community of the Year Award, sponsored by Hilton Reading.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Dr Richard Kay

A charity founder who has transformed the lives of boys growing up without a father figure has been nominated for the Inspiration Award, sponsored by McDonald’s.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Bucket List Wishes

A charity granting wishes for terminally ill adults has been nominated for Charity of the Year, sponsored by Cream Design.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Derek Parsons

A lifetime of generosity of a blood donor who is estimated to have helped save up to 1,500 lives has been recognised for the Local Hero Award, sponsored by Green Park.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Hamilton School

A school described where “every child is encouraged to be themselves and feel valued” has been nominated for School of the Year, sponsored by Educatering Solutions.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Deadlocked Escape Rooms

An independent escape room has been nominated for the Putting Reading on the Map Award, sponsored by Purple Turtle and Jacobs the Jewellers.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Nicole Sanderson

A choir director who has helped build a thriving musical community in Reading has been nominated for the Music Legacy Award, sponsored by Vale & West.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

The Rock Academy

A charity helping young people build confidence and creativity through the power of music has been nominated for Charity of the Year, sponsored by Cream Design.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Reading Bike Hub

The “beating heart” of Reading’s cycling community has been recognised for the Inspiration Award, sponsored by McDonald’s.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Craig Rolfe

A youth volunteer “wise beyond his years” has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by AB Walker.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

RABBLE Theatre

A theatre company bringing powerful local stories to national audiences has been nominated for the Putting Reading on the Map Award, sponsored by Purple Turtle and Jacobs the Jewellers.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Catherine Wignall

The founder of a counselling service pioneering a “whole-person” approach has been nominated for the Business in Action Award, sponsored by Boyes Turner.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Chris Ambrose

An “exceptional example” of the life-changing impact of volunteering has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by AB Walker.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Blandy & Blandy

A law firm part of the Reading community for over 200 years has been nominated for the Business in Action Award, sponsored by Boyes Turner.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

RG4 FC

A team demonstrating “true power of community volunteering” have been nominated for Volunteers of the Year, sponsored by AB Walker.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Fink Street Food

The UK’s first and only social enterprise street food and events caterer committed to breaking mental health stigma has been nominated for the Business in Action award, sponsored by Boyes Turner.

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Andrew Taplin Andrew Taplin

Dingley’s Promise

A charity providing “life-changing” support to families of children with special educational needs and disabilities has been nominated for Charity of the Year, sponsored by Cream Design.

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