Eight years after surviving a brutal and unprovoked stabbing, a ‘big-hearted’ man has been honoured for his work helping others.

Inspired by his own experience and sickened by reports of other violence in the news, Shane Yerrell, 32, has dedicated his life to helping others.

Last week Mr Yerrell, of Springfields, Waltham Abbey, was officially named as the Unsung Hero at the 2015 Pride of Essex awards for his extensive charity efforts.

His passion for fundraising began on Halloween in 2007, when he survived an attack as he searched for his dog in a dark field near his home.

He said: “I could just hear rustling and then there was just a knock to my head and I collapsed.

“I do not really remember much about it.

“It was completely unprovoked, the police thought maybe I was in someone’s way if they were doing drugs or something.”

After the attack, Mr Yerrell knew straight away he would not dwell on what happened to him.

Determined to help other families who had been worse affected by knife crime, he began by raising £2,000 for foundations set up in memory of Rob Knox and Kiyan Prince, two teenagers killed while defending others.

He said: “It is just the feeling that I got, the thanks from the family and I realised that it was never going to be a one off.

“I just developed a passion for helping people.

“Winning awards and stuff is great, but that is not what I want, it is the feedback if someone’s family says: ‘You have made the difference.’

“There is so much crap going on in the world, and if a little bit of my time can make a difference in someone else’s life, then why not?

“Life is too short to see people suffering and do nothing.”

Since 2007, Mr Yerrell’s fundraising has been extensive, seeing him climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and walking to Brighton.

Collecting money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Parkinson’s charities, he has also raised £1,200 for the sole survivor of a road crash, £3,000 for equipment for a severely disabled boy and £825 after charity Teens Unite were targeted by thieves.

At the award ceremony last week, it was heard that Mr Yerrell received a record-breaking 22 nominations.

Mike Fitzgerald, director of health and wellbeing company ECL which sponsored the award, said: “The judges were told so many great stories about Shane.

“All of the 22 nominators agreed that he is unequalled in his care for others and possesses the biggest heart of anyone they know.

“I was delighted to present this award on behalf of ECL.”