The Winner of the SGS Local Hero Award 2021 Revealed
Graham Nash from Leeds has been crowned the winner of the inaugural SGS Local Hero Award, securing 39% of the public vote.
Earlier this year, we launched this award to celebrate the unsung heroes of the trade—the builders, plumbers, electricians, joiners, gardeners, and mechanics who went above and beyond to support their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We were overwhelmed by the selfless stories submitted from across the country. Today, we are proud to announce that Graham Nash of Pinnacle Builders in Leeds has been voted the overall winner from a pool of over 2,000 votes. Graham receives a £1,000 cash prize and a Kielder toolbox worth over £500.
Four regional finalists, each with an inspiring story of their own, will also receive a £250 cash prize.
Our Winner: Graham Nash
Graham spent the duration of the pandemic correcting "cowboy builder" work for free. He frequently rallied other tradespeople to join his cause, saving homeowners thousands of pounds and making uninhabitable houses safe and comfortable once again.
Upon receiving the award, Graham commented:
"I felt honoured to have been nominated in the first place, and now finding out that I have won the overall competition, I am overwhelmed. It has been a pleasure helping people over the past 12 months, and I will continue to do so whenever a homeowner needs help. The world would be a better place if we all helped each other."
Graham is currently fundraising to purchase materials so he can continue his charitable work. While we celebrate his achievement, Graham was quick to point out the efforts of others: "Our real heroes are our NHS workers, firefighters, armed forces, and police—they are the people who help save lives."
Regional Runners-Up
Our four regional runners-up each demonstrated incredible community spirit during a difficult year.
Gordon Graham – GG Property Maintenance (Glasgow)
Gordon was nominated for his tireless support of elderly customers in Lanarkshire. In his spare time, he delivered fish suppers, cakes, and pies to those in isolation, ensuring his community felt cared for before looking after his own needs.
Wayne Bond – Bond Electrical (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Wayne was recognised for his immediate response to emergency calls from vulnerable residents. He provided free repairs for elderly customers who were in a state of panic, saving them from significant financial stress during the height of the pandemic.
Jeff Harlow – Jeff Harlow Electrical (Lancaster)
Jeff was a key part of the team that established the Nightingale Hospital in Manchester. Working gruelling hours and leaving home at 5:30 am daily, he was one of the final four electricians on-site to ensure the facility was tested and ready on schedule.
Jamie Scullion – JS Electrical & Property Maintenance (Sevenoaks)
Jamie provided free emergency call-outs to NHS staff. After discovering a couple he had helped worked for the health service, he waived his fee and immediately decided to roll out the offer to all NHS workers in his area as a token of his gratitude.
A Note of Thanks from SGS
As a supplier of air compressors, tool chests, and garage equipment, it has been a privilege to read about the integrity and kindness present in the UK trade industry.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate a hero or cast a vote. Congratulations once again to Graham Nash and our four regional finalists.