Yorkshire Choice Awards: Andy’s Man Club’s Luke Ambler and Lindsey Burrow lead emotional tributes

What better place to celebrate inspiring Yorkshire folk than Elland Road, the home of the newly promoted Leeds United?

The main stadium and the Billy Bremner statue is on one side and across the road The Centenary Pavilion is where 700 people gathered in the events space to celebrate the Yorkshire Choice Awards. 

The night was hosted by Christa Ackroyd, organised by Jo Maltby and Melanie Malcolm and featuring special guests including DI Stephanie Hirst, Dixie, Lindsey Burrow, Lord Mayor of Leeds Dan Cohen and our own Danny Malin and Sophie Mei Lan. 

The ninth annual Yorkshire Choice Awards was in aid of Andy’s Man Club with AMC founder Luke Ambler and his son opening the show. 
In an emotional speech Luke shared the story of losing his best friend and brother in law to suicide nine years ago. Now there’s 300 Andy’s Man Clubs nationwide.

 

A Night to Remember

 

This year’s ceremony saw a warm welcome from The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Dan Cohen, who praised the nominees for their incredible contributions to the region. The audience was also treated to appearances from much-loved faces from TV and radio, including Christa Ackroyd and Stephanie Hirst, both of whom helped present awards and added a touch of star quality to the night.

 

One of the most emotional moments came as Lindsey Burrow, wife of the late Rob Burrow MBE, took to the stage alongside their daughters, Macy and Maya, to present the Rob Burrow Award for Outstanding Courage – a tribute that had many in the room visibly moved.

Winners Across the Region

 

This year’s awards recognised exceptional winners from across Yorkshire, with accolades going to individuals and organisations based in Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, Halifax, York, and Bridlington. Each winner brought something unique to the stage, but all shared one thing in common – a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference.

 

Community, Kindness, and Yorkshire Grit

The event spotlighted individuals, charities, businesses and groups who reflect the county’s core values – resilience, generosity, and community spirit. The applause was genuine, the stories were powerful, and the sense of unity was unmistakable.

 

Backed by a number of regional sponsors, the evening wasn’t just about applause and accolades – it carried real meaning. This year’s chosen charity, Andy’s Man Club, was firmly in the spotlight, raising vital awareness for men’s mental health. The organisation’s mission to create safe spaces for men to talk without judgement struck a powerful chord with many in the room.

 

The Yorkshire Choice Awards is a reminder to keep lifting each other up, to keep showing up for your community, and to never underestimate the difference one person can make.

 

To view the full list of 2025 winners and finalists, head to:👉 www.yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk/2025winners

 

To find out how to get involved in next year’s event, visit:👉 www.yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk/2026-sponsorship