Some sponsorships are business decisions. This one is personal.
For Cathrine, sponsoring the Ely Hero Awards has been a long-held dream. Years ago, she was part of the team at Life Fitness that sponsored the awards — and even then, she quietly told herself that one day she’d do it from her own business. That day has arrived. This year, Ely Work Collective is a proud sponsor of the Ely Hero Awards, and it feels every bit as special as she imagined.
Community is at the heart of everything we do
At Ely Work Collective, we’ve always believed that a coworking space is more than a place to work — it’s a place that belongs to its city. Being a genuine, supportive part of the Ely community isn’t a nice-to-have for us; it’s central to why we exist. So when the opportunity came to support the Ely Hero Awards, it wasn’t a difficult decision. It was a no-brainer.
Now in its eighth year, the Ely Hero Awards celebrates the remarkable individuals who quietly make our community a better place. Founded by Naomi Sherwood and Luke Smith, the awards shine a light on people who go above and beyond — not for recognition, but simply because it’s who they are.
The categories that make these awards so special
What sets the Ely Hero Awards apart is who they choose to celebrate. Across 11 categories, the awards honour everyone from sporting champions to the people who simply show up — every single day — with warmth, care, and a smile. A few of our favourites:
- The Janet Eisold Smiliest Server Award – Named in memory of Janet Eisold, a beloved Waitrose face who greeted Ely for decades with a beaming smile.
- Caring Companion – For the carers, helpers and loved ones whose quiet dedication transforms people’s lives every day.
- Community Champion – For volunteers, fundraisers and community leaders who bring people together and remove barriers.
- Child of Achievement – Young people showing extraordinary courage, kindness, or achievement — including through illness or adversity.
Other categories include Best Teacher, Environmental Champion, Sporting Hero, Colleague of the Year, Most Amazing Professional, Neighbour of the Year, and the overall Ely Hero award itself — presented to one truly remarkable individual who the judges feel stands above all others.
What we love most is that these awards don’t just celebrate the loudest successes. They celebrate the person who turns up every shift with a smile. The carer who nobody hears about, but everyone quietly depends on. The neighbour who simply shows up. These are Ely’s unsung heroes, and they deserve every moment of recognition.
We can’t wait to celebrate
The awards ceremony is always a truly special evening — a black-tie celebration where winners are revealed on the night, and where the whole community comes together to cheer for people who rarely seek the spotlight. We are so excited to be part of it this year, and we cannot wait to raise a glass to every finalist and winner.
But first — nominations. If you know someone in or around Ely who goes above and beyond, who gives without expecting anything back, who makes our community that little bit brighter – please nominate them. They deserve to be celebrated, and this is your chance to make that happen.
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