As a nation, we are humble. Brits are simply not a braggy people and have a tendency to downplay achievements, sometimes to the point of self-deprecation. Many of us are hopeless when it comes to self-promotion or celebrating our triumphs.
Following a national call-out for nominations, leading ready-to-drink protein shake brand, For Goodness Shakes, has identified eight unsung heroes worthy of the spotlight and is bringing them out of the shadows and into a dedicated ‘Portraits of Today’s Everyday Heroes’ exhibition to showcase their personal successes, whilst also helping to provide inspiration for those on their own journeys of growth.
Portraits of Today’s Everyday Heroes, open for one month only at the Mash Paddle Brewery in Bermondsey, London, from Friday 14 February–Thursday 13 March 2025, is an initiative inspired by a collaboration between For Goodness Shakes – fuelling everyone’s inner hero for over 20 years – and Marvel Studios, to mark the release of the hotly anticipated Captain America: Brave New World, this 14 February.
Echoing the movie themes of resilience, perseverance, grit, strength and evolution, the For Goodness Shakes’ real-life Everyday Heroes selected to feature in the exhibition have shown determination, have achieved goals despite the odds, have demonstrated kindness, generosity or selflessness, or have worked hard to bring about change or help others. Their efforts and accomplishments represent those that are carried out every day by millions of Brits and serve as an inspiration to us all to persevere, do good, and be the best versions of ourselves (detail on the individual Everyday Hero stories is included below).
“Selecting our heroes was such a difficult task,” says Philippa Milburn, Brand Manager at For Goodness Shakes. “We received so many inspiring and heartening nominations, which, as well as triggering lots of emotion, brought a tangible sense of optimism and hope.
“Our Everyday Heroes’ stories are a true reflection of the incredible things Brits do every single day, and an important reminder of the power of humanity, of integrity, of courage, of determination, of kindness, and of community, at a time when our news feeds can feel overwhelmingly distressing.
“And that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve with this project; to demonstrate that we can all be heroes and can all make a difference to benefit or support others’ lives and experiences or our own.”
Alongside the Bermondsey exhibition, the portraits – shot by photographer, David Wren – and individual Everyday Hero stories will feature in a dedicated web gallery on the For Goodness Shakes website from 10 February. Visitors to the page can also donate to social action charity, Volunteering Matters, which brings people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering.
“Our charity partner for the Everyday Heroes project, Volunteering Matters,” adds Milburn, “aligns so perfectly with the themes of the campaign. Helping individuals and communities thrive through the vital contribution of place-based volunteering, their work is proactively creating the Everyday Heroes of tomorrow.”
The framed portraits hung in the gallery will be gifted to the Everyday Heroes featured in them once the exhibition comes to a close on 13 March.
For Goodness Shakes’ Everyday Heroes (full case studies available on request)
Emma Goodson, 43 years old, Messing, Essex
Emma’s son, William, was diagnosed with the incredibly rare and incurable Angelman Syndrome at just one year old in 2017. With multiple complex needs and life limiting conditions, William requires full time care.
Emma shows the good, the bad and the ugly of life with Angelman Syndrome through her #Bemorewilliam campaign, drawing on lived experiences to help families around the world, whilst also dealing with her own health issues – Childhood Epilepsy, Chronic Brittle Asthma, Chronic Urticaria, Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility Syndrome (hEDS), Lichen Sclerosis and PTSD.
It’s Emma’s “duty and honour” to raise awareness of Willam’s condition – sharing knowledge, offering support, signposting for help, and fundraising for research and drug trials.
As part of her campaigning, Emma runs to raise much needed funds and having run every World Marathon Major, collecting her sixth star in Boston in 2024, has achieved a feat shared with only 500 women across the UK.
Neil Sutor, 57 years old, Portishead, Somerset
Whilst many people with a fear of deep water opt to keep their feet firmly on dry land, Neil has faced up to this fear every day for the last 22 years, volunteering as Helm for the RNLI.
This 365-day-a-year role comes with many personal sacrifices – from 3am wake up calls to missing family events, birthdays or watching his beloved Bristol Bears – but it’s the support from family and the knowledge that he’s helping reunite loved ones that spurs him on.
Neil also helps others by tapping into his passion and skill as a cabinet maker, running a community-focused workshop at a local foodbank to help people learn skills, but also give them confidence and a sense of achievement.
He believes more people should consider using their skills to give back, advising people to get out there and give it a go and, most importantly, put their heart into it.
Meels Ellery, 30 years old, Bristol
Meels was diagnosed with a rare heart condition and brain aneurism at 12 years old, ending her childhood competitive sporting dreams.
But as a firm believer in the power of fitness to boost mental health, she defied medical advice, applied her passion to becoming a PT, and has made it her mission to help women via her dedicated online community.
Today, hundreds of women in and around Bristol train with her, follow her for fitness inspiration and advice, or attend her often self-funded events – from run clubs and hikes to coffee meet ups and pumpkin painting.
Meels provides a network, safe space, and support system for women going through life shifts, feeling lonely, or looking to share experiences with likeminded people.
She helps people believe in themselves and makes a difference to so many, all in spite of the health challenges she still faces in her every day.
Hana Mohamud, 20 years old, Northampton, East Midlands
Social action has been a passion for Hana since the pandemic sparked her desire to help others at age 16.
She completed a National Citizen Trust programme, is an ambassador for the #iwill movement, has completed human rights training with the Council of Europe, is a Duke of Edinburgh Awards youth ambassador, helping to bring greater diversity to the programme, and has volunteered and fundraised to support an orphanage in Uganda – all while working towards completing her university degree in Biomedical Science and running its Islamic Society.
Hana says: “I want my actions to have a ripple effect. I’ve been lucky to have an open, loving, supportive family and my mum has always instilled in me the belief that I could overcome any barriers I faced. I’ve been a product of the change that is taking place and I want to pay it forward and continue that positive cycle.”
Teame Tesfamariam, 71 years old, Willesden, London
Teame was a schoolboy when the Eritrean war of independence started. As the war become bloodier he left the country and some of his family behind. Tragically his eldest brother was captured by the miliary government and executed by the state alongside his fellow activists.
When Teame came to London he was determined to maintain his connection with his home country and to preserve the memory of those who had fought for its independence. In 2020, after his trip to Eritrea was cancelled, he ran 10k to raise money for The National Association of Eritrean War Disabled Veterans. Since then, together with his family and their community, Teame has organised events and raised over £50,000 to support the disabled veterans.
“In life you have a debt to the people that came before you and who fought for the freedoms you now enjoy, so remember your responsibility to help others too.”
Sophia Badhan, 23 years old, Birmingham, West Midlands
At 15 and after hiding most of her mental health struggles from those around her, Sophia tried to take her own life.
Diagnosed with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder, Sophia felt let down by the systems that could have protected her and was determined remove the stigma around mental health issues so that others would know they were not alone.
Whilst studying for her A Levels, Sophia ran a campaign for eating disorder awareness at school and set up charity fundraisers. She was appointed the school’s first ever Wellbeing Prefect.
Sophia’s work in the area of mental health has continued and has earned her the prestigious Diana Award (an accolade recognising young people that have led change in their community). She has also been awarded the British Citizen Award for services to healthcare. She has continued to be active in social action efforts alongside full time study and work.
Sue Hickey, 67 years old, Southend, Essex
Sue has always been resilient, taking everything in her stride. She is positive, bubbly, fun, and has lots of energy. Following diagnosis and treatment for a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer – triple negative – in 2021, Sue is proving even more inspirational.
At the tireless age of 67 and with an infectious ‘can-do’ attitude, she has remained incredibly active – swimming, running, walking. But she also dedicates her time to support others in need.
Whether providing cake & company for her 91-year-old neighbour or taking up a charity challenge to fundraise for her friends’ granddaughter with motor neurone disease, Sue believes in the importance of connection: “Sometimes we can feel like we’re alone, but once we get involved in community activities, join groups, connect, we can reap the benefits and benefit those we are with too. Everyone can be a hero to someone if they open themselves up.”
Tracey Pammen, 62 years old, Hailsham, East Sussex
Tracey has always had a happy and positive disposition but when she started to experience memory loss, balance issues and anger, she headed straight to the GP.
Diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball following an MRI, Tracey underwent 11 hour brain surgery. She was supposed to be in hospital for two weeks but was so determined to get better that she was able to leave after just two days.
After her surgery, Tracey immortalised her family history by collecting photos in scrapbooks to ensure that the next generations would never miss out on the memories she nearly lost.
Life has now done a complete 180 and Tracey is up every day around 5am, cleaning, organising and going for early morning walks. She is an inspiration to those around her and is making sure she enjoys every bonus second of life that is given to her.
