In an evening of celebration, the winners were the stars of the show as dedication, excellence, hard work and innovation were rewarded at RAF Leeming’s awards evening – The Excaliburs.
Tables buzzed with excitement and support as the winners of 13 categories including mentoring, fundraising, innovation and sport were announced. The unique awards – crafted by RAF Leeming’s own workshop personnel – were presented to rousing cheers.
In a show of Whole Force spirit, the awards attracted more than 120 nominations from personnel who wanted their colleagues and friends to be recognised for going the extra mile, for contributing to the RAF Leeming community.
Group Captain John ‘Geordie’ Lawson, RAF Leeming Station Commander, said: “The Excaliburs are a celebration of what makes RAF Leeming truly great – our people. I’m absolutely delighted to see so many faces gathered here tonight to recognise the achievements of their colleagues.
Whilst any of the finalists would have been worthy winners, there could only be one award in each category. Liv Hart, declared Civil Servant of the Year, said: “It feels so amazing to get this award. I work as part of a great team that is military and civil service and it’s great to get that Whole Force feel.
“It’s great to show people how much they mean to the bigger picture because everyone is doing such an amazing job. I think everyone has had an amazing night.”
The importance of recognition was also noted by Sgt Dan Law of Physical Education Flight, winners of Team of the Year. He said: “When you get recognised for hard work it makes you want to do it again - you have a hunger to do it more and more. Those who see the joy it brings us might also think ‘I want a piece of that’.”
Group Captain Lawson concluded: “Excaliburs winners are great not only for their own achievements, but for what they inspire in others. I congratulate and thank them all for their incredible efforts and the difference they have made at RAF Leeming.”
Excaliburs 2025 Winners
The Wifinity Connected Champion Award Flying Officer Taje-Wayne Sutherland
Awarded to the individual or team who, throughout the past year, has utilised the internet and connectivity to support the RAF Leeming community and in doing so has helped to keep the Whole Force at home and overseas, informed and connected, generating togetherness while promoting wellbeing.
Innovator of the Year Corporal Aiden Jones
Awarded to the individual or team from within the Whole Force at RAF Leeming who, over the past year, has applied innovation and / or creative thought to improve our ways of working, enhance support to operations, personnel or training, or to improve the lived experience of those working or living at RAF Leeming.
Mentor of the Year Flight Lieutenant Andrew Mawdsley
Awarded to the individual who has made a true difference to an individual or team’s professional and/or personal development through mentoring over the past year.
The Resilience Award Flight Sergeant Scott Archer
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Award for transparency and strength through resistance to pressure and stress.
Fundraiser of the Year Sergeant Stuart Jardine
Awarded to the individual or team to have demonstrated commitment and drive to promote one or more charitable causes and sacrificed their own personal time and effort to raise funds in support of charitable causes.
Health and Wellbeing Award Sergeant Graeme Jackson
Awarded to the individual, group or team considered to have worked to improve, or made the biggest improvement to, health and wellbeing on the Station.
Community Development Award Flight Sergeant Matthew Fox
Awarded to the individual, team or group considered to have worked to deliver improvements to the RAF Leeming community through social, professional or personal efforts.
Local Champion Award RAF Leeming Community Primary School
Awarded to the individual, team, or business from across our diverse internal or external community, who are deemed to have gone above and beyond in recognising and supporting the people who work and live at RAF Leeming and their selfless commitment to the Nation.
The Ellis Award for Sporting Achievement Corporal Tom Whitworth
Awarded to the individual who, over the past year, has consistently displayed dedication to sport at RAF Leeming, promoting sport and fitness, and / or demonstrating achievement in sport, or the newcomer to a sport who has demonstrated excellent determination, commitment and progress
Team of the Year Physical Education Flight
Presented to the team from across the Station which has, throughout the past year, demonstrated excellence in teamwork and collaboration in order to ensure delivery of operations, support to the force and / or support the delivery of training for the future fight, or who have excelled in the delivery of an additional duty which improves the lived experience of the Whole Force at RAF Leeming.
Civil Servant of the Year Olivia Hart
Awarded to the Civil Servant who has demonstrated unwavering commitment, output and professionalism in their role and / or has contributed to a positive lived experience at RAF Leeming throughout the past year.
Aviator of the Year Air Specialist Class 1 Samantha Wain
Awarded to the Aviator who, throughout the past year, has demonstrated unwavering commitment and delivered an outstanding all-round performance to either their role and / or the lived experience of people at RAF Leeming.
Award for Special Recognition Ken Holland
Designed in recognition of the sheer amount of nominations received in recognition of Mr Holland’s dedication to service, to RAF Leeming, for consistently going above and beyond in his duty, which included previous Royal Air Force service as a Serviceman, and has covered more than one role at RAF Leeming as a Civil Servant.
