Mr Preston said the Teesside Family Foundation was a "fantastic phenomenon" for the town.
The foundation, which was started in 2017, not only supports many local activities but also provides specialist equipment for disabled people, support for the elderly, homelessness help, and support for forces veterans.
The charity has raised somewhere in the region of £400,000 over the last four years.
It has also arranged many fundraising events raising thousands of pounds to help provide treatment for poorly children and specialist equipment for children with disabilities.
Co-founder Tony Wedlake and trustees Kev Ness, Toni Conroy and Jill Clayton were presented with the Boro Heroes award by the Mayor at the Transporter Bridge, where they were joined by Boro legend Bernie Slaven - a big supporter of the group.
"I never do anything for awards, I have never applied for any award," said Tony. "When we got the Boro Hero award it gave us a massive boost, it's unbelievable.
"For someone to recognise for what we do is great but we will just plough on doing what we do trying to help people."
Tony was also recently named Middlesbrough's Citizen of the Year for 2021 in an event at the Town Hall.
Mr Preston said: "Teesside Family Foundation is a fantastic phenomenon and Middlesbrough is a better place for having them and Tony Wedlake."
