HERE they are - the Proud of Barnsley class of 2017.
The winners were unveiled at a glitzy ceremony, which has been hailed as the biggest and best yet.
The calibre of shortlisted finalists was particularly high this year, with one category containing four finalists.
The judges faced the unenviable task of selecting the winners, and in some cases struggled to make a decision until the last minute.
The ceremony was once again hosted by former BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd and radio DJ Stephanie Hirst, who announced the winners of all 15 categories.
There were also two special awards which were a complete surprise to the recipients.
Len Collett, chairman of Age UK Barnsley received the Mayor of Barnsley award which was presented by the Mayor Coun Jeff Ennis, and Julie Foster, the owner of Jay Bee Theatre School, received the Proud of Barnsley Special Award. Julie has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She is just 56. See husband Peter Foster's moving tribute to her HERE.
You can see all the photographs from the night, or order copies, HERE.
WINNERS IN FULL...
Young Superstar
Keen cyclist Harrison Dainty represents Team Cystic Fibrosis, a charity set up by his father Martin. Harrison’s sister Molly was diagnosed with the condition when she was just weeks old. Harrison cycled almost 4,000 metres to the summit of Mount Teide, a volcano on Tenerife, and raised £4,000.
Having received his award, Harrison said: “I feel amazing. I was so nervous and didn’t know if I would win. My mum took a video and sent it to Molly, she was very happy that I won.”
Also shortlisted were Ethan McSkimming and Caitlin Sherwood
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School of the Year
Goldthorpe Primary was nominated for helping a little boy to speak. Parent Donna Saunders says the level of one-to-one support given by staff enabled her child to find his voice after previously being unable to speak when he first started at the school.
Sarah Fields, headteacher, said was delighted with the school’s award. She said: “Our motto at Goldthorpe is ‘more and better.’ It’s really quite a challenging area, so we work at providing ‘more and better’ and will go the the nth degree to do that. The kids will be over the moon.”
Also shortlisted were Darton College and Meadstead Primary Academy
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Children’s Champion
Dan Baugh is a former boxer who beat a drug habit and turned his life around. He’s now doing the same for others. Dan runs Functional Health and Fitness Barnsley with the aim of driving down anti-social behaviour by taking in teenagers from the local community and teaching them how to box. Having been presented with his award, Dan said of his award: “I really didn’t expect this at all. It will be nice to go into the gym and show the kids that anything is possible.”
Also shortlisted were Lorna Smith, and Rebecca MacLeod and Angie Lacey
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Triumph Over Adversity
Adam Summerscales, 24, suffers from cerebral palsy, but has not let this hold him back. He has defied doctors by walking, talking and completing a masters degree course in digital media. The keen photographer captured the world as he sees it from his wheelchair. Upon receiving his award, Adam said: “I’m speechless. I wasn’t expecting to win, but I am proud of myself for what I have achieved. My mum, Carol, has pushed me since I was little and there is one quote that has always stuck with me and that is ‘get a grip and keep going’ and that’s how I decided to carry on.”
Also shortlisted were Alfie Ledgeway, Mark Ford and Jessie Stocks
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Charity Fundraising Team
Wombwell Dragons Motorcycle Club
The group raises money for Newsome Avenue, a local children’s home, and recently handed over £1,500 to the home’s minibus appeal.
Alan Sutton, chairman, collected the club’s award. He said: “I’m in shock, because the other finalists deserved it more than us. We didn’t do this for any recognition, we do it to help people. But our members and followers are going to be over the moon.”
Also shortlisted were The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and Jacob Isherwood and family
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Love Where You Live
The Cudworth Environment Group helps keep the town’s parks and green spaces clean and tidy for all to enjoy. The group encompasses Cudworth Park, Robert Street Allotments and Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve. The group transformed the former bowling green in Cudworth Park, which had been left for nearly a decade, into a remembrance garden. It also organises events such as Tea in the Park.
After being named as the winner, Coun Charlie Wraith, chairman, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to be given this award. With all the work we have done in Cudworth, it is well deserved. Everyone works together, everyone helps one another and I’m really proud of everyone who has helped bring this to fruition.”
Also shortlisted were Loxley Community Gardens and Barnsley Main Heritage Group
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Exceptional Achievement
Sara Headley, of Sara’s Flowers and Teas, offers budget hot meals, redistributes clothing and food parcels, and even provides free funeral tributes for those struggling to make ends meet. Sara opened her Pitt Street shop four years ago as a florist and tea shop, but quickly realised she could do more to help the needy and isolated, starting with a suspended coffee and meal scheme where customers could pay for food or drink for someone in need. Sara said of her win: “I really can’t believe it, I didn’t think I would win. But this will help so much in what we are trying to do. It is an amazing thing.”
Also shortlisted were Suzanne Maguire and Susan Hazeldine
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The Mayor of Barnsley’s Award
Len Collett joined the board of trustees at Age UK Barnsley (formerly Age Concern Barnsley) in 2002. He was appointed treasurer of the charity, a role he carried out until October 2007 when he was elected chairman. In total Len has volunteered his time in supporting and promoting the charity for 15 years. Len is well known in the Penistone area for his charitable work and his support for the local churches.
After receiving his award, Len said: “I genuinely knew nothing about this. I get pleasure from seeing a smile on the faces of elderly people, and when they say thank you, that is enough.”
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Volunteer of the Year
Army veteran John Hatfield pulled himself back from the brink after 12 years of military service to become a volunteer for SSAFA, formerly known at the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families’ Association, which provides lifelong support to those who have served in the military and their families.
After collecting his award, John said: “I’m over the moon. It came as a surprise when I was nominated and it’s come as a surprise to have won. I came with the idea that if I didn’t win, I would have had a nice night. But I was shocked - nice things don’t happen to me.”
Also shortlisted were Josie Whiteley and Richard Haigh
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Sporting Achievement
Barnsley Ladies’ Rugby Club has had a ‘phenomenal’ two years which has seen it nominated for a Sporting Achievement award. The side scooped Female Rugby Team of the year at the National Rugby Awards, gaining national recognition for being unbeaten in the league and gaining back to back promotions for the last two years.
Captain Alix Taylor said: “This award is just fantastic, and a real achievement for us as a team. We’ve had a fantastic couple of years having started as a team who had never played rugby. We are two leagues below the premiership so if we continue to play the way we are we’ll hopefully go on to bigger and better things.”
Also shortlisted were Josh Wale and Robbie Barrett
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Start Up of the Year
Ice Queenz is the Thai-inspired ‘stir-fried ice-cream’ venture run by Janine Davies. Ice Queenz sells sweet treats made on a large cold plate, chilled to minus 30 degrees, which turns a top secret mixture of whipping cream, condensed milk and fresh milk into rolls of delicious fresh ‘stir-fired’ ice-cream, peppered with chopped up chocolate bars, fresh fruit or whatever takes your fancy. Having collected her award, Janine said: “I’m in shock, but I’m really proud. We’ve all put so much effort in to Ice Queenz. We’re really ecstatic.”
Also shortlisted were Katie Newsam and Snap Tin Cafe
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Community Hero
Adie Flute runs the Barnsley Rucksack Project which aims to help the homeless and those sleeping rough, through the harsh winter months. It is not about grand gestures, but about giving up a little time and the odd old or unused belonging. People are asked to fill a rucksack with things such as a sleeping bag, a fleece or warm coat, some thick socks and clean, unused underwear, gloves and a woolly hat, non-perishable food and a spoon and empty flask. Upon receiving his award, Adie said: “We have a lot of people who do a lot of amazing things, I just sort of sit in the middle. Everyone will be please when I take the award back and show them.”
Also shortlisted were Alison Sykes and Dave Taylor
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Hospital Hero
Sarah Reynolds is an intensive care nurse at Barnsley Hospital, who cared for Erica Murray in her final hours. She was described by Mrs Murray’s family as professional, but part of the family, someone who could explain to them what was happening in a compassionate, warm and relaxed manner. Having being named Hospital Hero, Sarah said: “I’m completely overwhelmed, considering the people in the category that I was up against who I felt were more deserving. This award is for every family member and family that I have ever looked after. It is because of them and their trust in me that I am able to do what I do.”
Also shortlisted were Lisa Sanderson and Lynn Clay
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Community Group
Barnsley Cancer Aftercare was established more than 25 years ago, and aims to support anyone living in Barnsley suffering from the burden of cancer, giving a caring and sharing service, not only to the patient but to their families and carers. Member Josie Wilcock said: “This is absolutely brilliant. We’ve been going a long time and every one of us has been through cancer. Whoever nominated us, we can’t thank them enough.”
Also shortlisted were Dove Valley Events and Houghton Main Miners’ Welfare Sports and Social Club
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Charity Fundraiser
Karen Carty and her family were at Manchester Arena when a bomb was set off in the foyer. It left 22 dead, many wounded and thousands of others mentally scarred by what they had seen. Karen knew she had to do something to help and organised a concert which raised £2,000 for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. Karen said: “I can’t believe I have won, I wasn’t expecting this at all. I have seen some fantastic achievements at the Proud of Barnsley awards. The money we have raised will help someone after this terrible things that has happened.”
Also shortlisted were Peter Shone and Shannon Jones
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Carer of the Year
Joan Dawson won a legion of fans when she appeared on Our Dancing Town. Her husband Ken, who died of dementia in March, also made an appearance on the programme. But by the time the show aired, Ken had no spark of recognition. Joan, who attended the ceremony in her red feather boa from the show, said: “This award is for Ken, and my two daughters who are no longer here. Ken is with me every second of every day, it’s not easy and I talk to him as if he is still here. He would be so proud.”
Also shortlisted were Dave Coupland and Sandra Quinney
