23:53pm: So that concludes a fantastic evening at the sixth Proud of Barnsley awards. Full report, pictures and reaction from the winners in Friday's Chronicle
23:51pm: Emotional tributes to Julie, who now suffers with alzheimer's, from her husband and some of her pupils
23:46pm: The award goes to dance teacher Julie Foster, an 'unsung hero' who has brought thousands of children through her theatre school in Barnsley
23:43pm: Now we're going to finish our night of prize presentations with the Special Award, which is a surprise and has been won in the past by Barnsley heroes such as actress Katherine Kelly, footballer Bobby Hassell, actor Shaun Dooley and Egyptologist Joann Fletcher
23:41pm: The Carer of the Year is Joan Dawson. She 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. But by the time the show aired, Ken had no spark of recognition. He died in March this year. The judges said: "“Joan touched hearts of the nation in the television programme – and she certainly made a lasting impression on us…”
23:36pm: The carers shortlisted are Sandra Quinney, Dave Coupland and Joan Dawson
23:34pm: Next is Carer of the Year
23:33pm: All the videos of the nominees are here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWS3GfeAnX7bhUN8AquIIVt0MZx41ROc
23:33pm: The winner of Charity Fundraiser of the Year is Karen Carty. She 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. The judges said: "“With the eyes of the world being on Manchester after this horrific terrorist attack, it would have been easy for Karen to leave any fundraising to others. But she didn’t. And that made her a worthy winner in the our opinions.”
23:29pm: The nominees are Karen Carty, who survived the Manchester bomb attack, cancer sufferer Peter Shone and Shannon Jones who has has raised more than £1,700 for Weston Park Cancer Charity
23:27pm: Now we're onto Charity Fundraiser of the Year, the 14th of 15 scheduled awards
23:26pm: The winner is Barnsley Cancer Aftercare, which was established more than 25 years ago. It 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.
23:23pm: Nominated are Houghton Main Miners’ Welfare Sports and Social Club, Dove Valley Events and Barnsley Cancer Aftercare
23:21pm: Next up is the Community Group award
23:19pm: The Hospital Hero is Sarah Reynolds. She 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. The judges said: “The fact that a grieving family thought to put Sarah forward for this award shows the difference she made to their lives.”
23:16pm: Nominated are health care assistant Lynn Clay, cancer nurse Lisa Sanderson who suffers with cancer herself, and intensive care nurse Sarah Reynolds
23:15pm: Our next award is the Hospital Hero
23:13pm: The winner of the Community Hero award is Adie Flute. He 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. The judges said: "“Adie is one of those people who was galvanised into action after seeing how tough things can be for homeless people and those living on the street.”
23:09pm: The nominees are Alison Sykes, Dave Taylor and Adie Flute
23:08pm: The next category is Community Hero
23:06pm: Winner of the Business Start-up of the Year is Ice Queenz. It is the Thai-inspired ‘stir-fried ice-cream’ venture run by local businessman Nick Smark, though it is actually the brainchild of daughter Charlie and partner Janine Davies. Ice Queenz sells sweet treats made on a large cold plate, chilled to minus 30 degrees. The judges said: “A new business that, despite only setting up on a mobile stall in the town centre earlier this year, has already shown enough potential to justify a move to new premises...”
23:03pm: The nominees are bespoke fashion designer Katie Newsam, Thai-inspired ‘stir-fried ice-cream’ venture Ice Queenz and Snap Tin Cafe
23:00pm: Our tenth award is Business Start-Up of the Year
22:58pm: The Sporting Achievement winners are Barnsley Ladies Rugby Club. The Shaw Lane team 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. The judges said: “A very tough category but the teamwork and togetherness of these girls is remarkable. It’s been an excellent year for the team but, given the achievements of the other finalists, it had to be to take this award.”
22:55pm: The nominees are Barnsley Ladies Rugby Club, as well as boxers Robbie Barrett and Josh Wale
22:53pm: Next up is the Sporting Achievement award, which will be presented by former umpire Dickie Bird
22:50pm: Volunteer of the Year is army veteran John Hatfield. He 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. The judges said: “John knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom but he is living proof that, no matter how hard things may seem, there is always hope. Down the years, he has helped hundreds of veterans rebuild their lives..”
22:47pm: The volunteers are Richard Haigh, who works on environmental projects in Darton, Josie Whiteley who runs charity EnRich, and army veteran John Hatfield
22:45pm: The next award is Volunteer of the Year
22:44pm: Jeff Ennis gives his Mayor's Award to Len Collett, a charity worker from Thurlstone
22:40pm: We're now seeing a video of the Barnsley people who have sadly died in the last year including Barnsley FC legend Norman Rimmington and many others
22:36pm: The winner of the Exceptional Achievement award is Sara Headley, of Sara’s Flowers and Teas. Sara 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.
22:32pm: The nominees are community matron Sue Hazeldine, children’s author Suzanne Maguire and Sara Headley, of Sara’s Flowers and Teas,
22:30pm: The next award is Exceptional Achievement
22:28pm: The winner is the Cudworth Environment Group. The 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. The judges said: "What we liked about this group was that it really brought a wide cross section of the community together to achieve a common goal.”
22:24pm: The nominees, shortlisted because of the work they do to improve their local area, are Loxley Community Gardens, Barnsley Main Heritage Group and The Cudworth Environment Group
22:23pm: The next award is Love Where You Live
22:21pm: The Charity Fundraising team winner is Wombwell Dragons Motorcycle Club. The group raises money for Newsome Avenue children’s home, and recently handed over £1,500 to the home’s mini bus appeal. The judges said: “They may look tough in their leather gear but members of the Wombwell Dragons Motorcylcle Club have proved they’re big softies at heart with another excellent year of fundraising.”
22:20pm: The next award is the Charity Fundraising Team:
22:13pm: The winner of the Triumph Over Adversity category is Adam Summerscales. Adam suffers from cerebral palsy but has not let this hold him back. He has completed a masters degree course in digital media, and the keen photographer captured the world as he sees it from his wheelchair. The judges said: “Anyone who ever thinks they can’t do something should listen to what Adam has achieved and realise that very few things in life are actually impossible if you work really hard.”
22:13pm: A nice message on the big screen for young Alfie from former Barnsley captain Alfie Mawson, his 'best friend'
22:08pm: There are four brave nominees for this award. Leukeamia sufferer Jessie Stocks, Adam Summerscales, who has cerebral palsy, Barnsley FC mascot Alfie Ledgeway and bodybuilder Mark Ford who underwent open heart surgery and was told he would not compete again but went on to win a major championship.
22:04pm: The next award is the Triumph Over Adversity award
22:03pm: The Children's Champion is Dan Baugh. He 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 antisocial behaviour by taking in teenagers from the local community and teaching them how to box. The judges said: “A young man who has made mistakes in his life but is now very determined to help ensure young people learn from those mistakes.”
21:57pm: The next award is Children’s Champion.
21:56pm: The winner is Goldthorpe Primary. The school 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. The judges said: “We were very impressed by the way staff in this school did everything they could to welcome new pupils at what can be a very worrying time for them.”
21:56pm: The winner is Goldthorpe Primary. The school 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. The judges said: “We were very impressed by the way staff in this school did everything they could to welcome new pupils at what can be a very worrying time for them.”
21:50pm: The next award is School of the Year
21:48pm: The Young Superstar winner is Harrison Dainty. Keen cyclist Harrison represents Team Cycstic 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 a volcano on Tenerife, and competed against 1,000 other young riders at the six-day Tour of Assen - regarded as a Tour de France for kids - placing an impressive eighth overall. The judges said: “A very committed young man who was determined to raise much-needed money for a worthy cause that is, understandably, close to the hearts of all his family...”
21:43pm: The first award is Young Superstar.
21:42pm: The hosts Christa Ackroyd and Steph Hirst have just taken to the stage and are about to introduce the first category
21:34pm: Good evening. Welcome to the live updates from the 2017 Proud of Barnsley awards at the Holiday Inn in Barnsley.
