Action heroes: Vote for your local 2026 faves

A glitzy awards night where Paralympian Abbie Breakwell previously won a sporting “Oscar” for being an inspiration to others will again be staged in Erewash – with the council inviting residents to submit nominations.

The Active Lives in Erewash Awards are held to salute local heroes who help to spur their fellow citizens into taking up physical activity such as sport. Wheelchair tennis ace Abbie – who is from Long Eaton – won a Special Recognition award in 2022. She went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Games – but early this year almost lost her sight after catching Covid.

Abbie, 23, told the BBC last month (October) how after battling back to health she has now returned to being ranked world number 28. She said of the future: “I hope that I can get into a Grand Slam, but also I'm just looking forward to playing more tennis.”

Active Lives in Erewash award winners this year included one of the founders of Long Eaton Park Run – which was launched in 2015 and now attracts hundreds of participants every Saturday morning. Rachel Argent continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes.

She accepted her Active Leader Award on behalf of all seven of the event directors and the 500-plus runners who regularly join the jog.  Another winner was 15-year-old Ashton Milner, who has officiated at hundreds of grassroots football games since qualifying as a referee in 2023. 

The Ilkeston teenager’s citation for the Active Young Person Award read: “Ashton has autism and this is a major achievement for him. He is kind caring and understanding to all that meet him. He even helps young players tie laces if needed. Being a referee often comes with receiving abuse from adults and he deals with this superbly.”

Also saluted was a young gymnast with a rare condition that has led to her being hospitalised more than 250 times with “life-threatening episodes”. Natasha Coates has mast cell activation syndrome – a glitch in her immune system. It means she is prone to severe allergic reactions – sometimes just from perspiring or even LAUGHING.

Despite being hospitalised on average every two weeks she has battled to become an elite disability gymnast – winning 27 British titles and 42 medals. Her courage earned her what is known as the Legacy Leisure Adversity award – after the 29-year-old was secretly nominated by Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club.

The 2026 awards, which will be held in the New Year, also include categories for Active Volunteer, the Active Group Award, Legacy Leisure Participation Award, All Move in Erewash Award and Active Project Award. Nominations close on Sunday 30th November. 

They can be made via the Erewash Borough Council website here.

Names can also be emailed to: communityhealthwellbeing @ erewash.gov.uk

Cllr Josy Hare, who is Erewash council’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We have so many amazing and inspirational individuals and organisations across the borough who deserve recognition – and these awards aim to do just that. So please hurry and get your nominations in.”