TERENCE KNAPTON CHAIPERSON OF BRAMLEY CARNIVAL GETS FLYBE COMMUNITY AWARDS 2010
Leeds' cream of the community crop were rewarded for their inspirational efforts at the 2010 Flybe/YEP Community Awards.
Reporter Laura Bowyer found out more.
Superheroes that have helped Leeds to shine took centre stage at a glittering awards ceremony to recognise their inspirational achievements.
The cream of the community hero crop descended on The Hilton Hotel, in Leeds city centre, to be rewarded for their hard grit and determination at the first ever Flybe/YEP Community Awards.
The YEP offices were flooded with hundreds of nominations praising the inspirational efforts of some of the city's unsung heroes.
But fundraiser Terry Roberts stole the show when he was crowned Hero of
the Year and Fundraiser of the Year for his tireless efforts to raise almost 65,000 for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation.
Mr Roberts, who has spent the last four decades raising thousands of pounds, was presented with his award by Mike Tomlinson, the husband of the late Jane Tomlinson - who raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities.
He told the YEP: "I'm over-whelmed. It is just fantastic.
"It has always been hard work raising money but it is very rewarding now."
The Irish Centre's Tommy McLoughlin was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for spearheading fundraising drives to help brighten the lives of others.
Mr McLoughlin, who has received an MBE for his contributions towards charities, has rallied the community to help raise money for many good causes ranging from a bus for disabled youngsters to collecting hundreds of thousands of pounds for groundbreaking equipment for the city's hospitals.
Speaking at the ceremony he said:" I have been ralking to various people here and when I see the fantastic work they do in the community
I feel very humble myself in just getting this.
"We are so proud to have a city like Leeds and you people are what makes Leeds special."
Amputee Lance Cpl James Simpson was honoured with the Adult Bravery Award for his courage after he suffered devastating injuries while serving Queen and country in Afghanistan.
His mum and step-father Pauline and Martin Rogers accepted the award on his behalf and praised the e
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson presented Allan Thorpe from Stanningley ARLC with the Sports Personality of the Year Award for his efforts in helping youngsters on and off the pitch.
Little Lewis Batkin was presented with the Young Carer of the Year Award for becoming his mum's miniature hero for helping her to look after his two seriously ill sisters.
George Stocker was honoured with the Child Bravery of the Year award for raising over 30,000 to help other children with cancer despite undergoing 80 weeks of gruelling treatment for an aggressive brain tumour.
Other winners were: Barbara Walker, Good Neighbour of the Year; Lisa James, Adult Carer of the Year; Dayones Barbershop Harmony Chorus, Community Music Award; Ian Rodley and Dazl Dance, Community Arts Award; Seagulls Re-Use Ltd, Environment Award; Jimmy Sydney, Community Business of the Year; Derek Hutchinson, Friends of High Royds Memorial Gardens, Community Project Award and Terence Knapton, Service to the Community Award.
Yorkshire Evening Post editor Paul Napier said: "The community awards were a celebration of the wonderful work done by so many people in communities in and around Leeds. Every single person and group nominated could have won as they'd all made a huge difference to the lives of so many people. It was humbling and inspiring."
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