People and organisations who make a genuine difference to the lives of Harlow’s residents were honoured at the 2025 Harlow Civic Awards on Thursday 15 May.
The awards are held each year before Annual Council and feature three categories: Citizens of the Year, Sport and Culture and Young Citizens of the Year. Award winners are nominated by members of the public.
This year, awards went to:
Citizens of the Year
Frank Alecks
Frank is an active member of the Berecroft Residents Association. If something needs fixing at the community’s office, Frank is the handyman. If there’s a fly tip on the estate, he’s the eyes and ears getting it reported or sorted. Through his efforts, Frank has helped build Berecroft’s community, working tirelessly to improve the estate, its environment, the wellbeing of residents and uplifting those many people who he comes into contact with.
Dave Hobbs
If you work in a charity, community or civic organisation in Harlow, you know Dave Hobbs. His passion lies in connecting the community so more people can feel part of it. One of the many projects Dave volunteers with is Harlow Hive, which is part of MRCT and connected to Harlow Foodbank. Dave goes to all the community groups and has also been a great help with his volunteering at Plant Pots and Wellies.
Sports and Culture Award
Harlow parkrun and junior parkrun
Harlow parkrun meets at 9am every Saturday for a 5km route in the town park with about 300 people per week taking part by either running, jogging and walking. They see people from 1 month to 100 years old and welcome wheelchair users and visually impaired people regularly to their event. Many return week after week as they find it rewarding and enjoy the social side of parkrun too.
Harlow junior parkrun meets every Sunday for a 2km route around the Showground field. Over 2,000 children have taken part and over 400 volunteers have made sure the event goes ahead safely each week. Harlow junior parkrun would love to welcome more children into the junior parkrun family so please spread the word and let everyone know how fantastic it is!
Young Citizens of the Year
Olivia Bolwerk
Olivia (Livs) Bolwerk is 13 years old and attends Stewards Academy. Livs has been volunteering for PACT for Autism for three years now and really enjoys it. Livs dedicates many hours to help to support events by being friendly and supportive for the young people that attend. Livs arranges for people to be signed in and helps everyone to know where to go and what to do. Livs shows exceptional levels of dedication, kindness, compassion and instils PACT for Autism’s values of inclusion for all.
Charlie Doe
Charlie Doe is 14 years old and goes to SFG Secondary School. Charlie volunteers many hours of his time with PACT for Autism and helps to support young neurodivergent individuals at the events that the charity organise. He assists with administrative tasks as well as making the environment friendly and supportive for the young people that attend. He shows exceptional levels of dedication, kindness, compassion and instils PACT for Autism’s values of inclusion for all.
Daniel Rumelhart
Daniel Rumelhart is a member of the youth council and Stewards school council. As a sight impaired child, Daniel took on the remarkable challenge of learning to ring the church bells for the King’s Coronation at Churchgate Street Church and went on to also ring them for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Daniel further supports his local church by helping with fundraising events. Daniel’s journey is one of resilience, dedication and passion.
In addition to giving out the Civic Awards, the Chair of the Council also awarded cheques for £6,000 each to his chosen charities for the year, Harlow Steelband and Rainbow Dementia Services.