Harrogate’s Local Hero Awards are to return to Rudding Park Hotel in 2026 for the fifth year.

The annual event is are the result of a partnership between two organisations with strong community ties – Your Harrogate radio station and Harrogate Town football club.

The glittering black tie event will showcase the people who make a real difference across the Harrogate district.

The 15 categories will recognise individuals, organisations, charities and teams for their achievements, from everyday acts of kindness to extraordinary accomplishments.

Harrogate Local Hero Awards partnership - Joanne Towler (left), Commercial Director at Harrogate Town, Matthew Mackaness, Managing Director of Rudding Park, Adam Daniel, Managing Director of Your Harrogate (centre), Ricky Durkin, Programme Director at Your Harrogate (back) and Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town (right). (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Harrogate Local Hero Awards partnership - Joanne Towler (left), Commercial Director at Harrogate Town, Matthew Mackaness, Managing Director of Rudding Park, Adam Daniel, Managing Director of Your Harrogate (centre), Ricky Durkin, Programme Director at Your Harrogate (back) and Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town (right). (Picture contributed)

Taking place in May 2026, the Local Hero Awards are proudly supported by O’Connor Chiropractic, who will be returning as the event’s headline sponsor.

Dr Jason O’Connor said: “We’ve been involved with the Local Hero Awards for several years and it’s always been a huge honour to be associated with it.

“So when I was asked again by Your Harrogate to be the main sponsor, it was an immediate yes!

“These local heroes really need the recognition and deserve all the praise they get.

"Everyone at O’Connor Chiropractic can’t wait to spend the evening celebrating their amazing achievements.”

The Local Hero Awards in their current format were launched by Your Harrogate in 2021.

Harrogate Town’s involvement is in keeping with the ethos of the club’s Community Foundation, which delivers programmes supporting wellbeing, inclusion and youth development across the area, also aligns with the awards.

Sarah Barry, Chief Executive of Harrogate Town and Trustee of Harrogate Town Community Foundation, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Your Harrogate to bring you the Local Hero Awards 2026.

“These prestigious awards will honour our area’s most inspiring individuals and organisations.

“Our values and purpose are already aligned with local people and community togetherness at the heart of everything we do."

Adam Daniel, Managing Director of Your Harrogate, said: “The Local Hero Awards mean a huge amount to us because it celebrates the real heart of our area - the people who quietly step up, support others and make Harrogate a better place to live.”

Details on Local Hero Awards nominations and categories will be released in the coming weeks.