FROM school children raising money and buying dolls for dementia patients, to a teenager learning to swim so he could raise money for Bradford Royal Infirmary children’s ward, to a group organising clean-ups in Scholemoor Cemetery, the Telegraph & Argus Community Stars Awards 2016 welcomed them all.

A glittering ceremony was held tonight at The Midland Hotel in Bradford to mark the fifth holding of the annual awards in association with Bradford Council and People Can.

The ceremony was compered by Mary Dowson, director of BCB Radio, in Bradford, and Andrew Edwards, a BBC broadcaster and presenter.

This year 73 people and community groups were nominated in seven categories with judges being given the difficult task of shortlisting three for each category. The winners were then voted for by readers of the Telegraph & Argus.

The winners were revealed as:

  • Young Active Citizens – Shirley Manor Primary School;
  • Better Start Bradford (Outstanding Achievement) – Salhia Ahmed;
  • Fundraiser - Joshua Capper;
  • Good Neighbour - Zafar Kayani;
  • Volunteer – Christopher McDermott;
  • Community Champion – Janet Cuff;
  • Community Group – Friends of the Deceased.

Presenting the prestigious Bradford & District Medals and certificates to the winners and runners up, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Geoff Reid, praised everyone present for the “virtuous acts” they did and told each one they were the “community glue that holds the entire district together”.

Martin Heminway, head of content with the T&A thanked the Council and People Can for organising the event adding: "I am delighted to be with you tonight to celebrate the achievements of who the Lord Mayor alluded to as the real stars of the community.
"The most important people here are all of you who have made such a positive impact on society. You truly do make a difference. Thank you for all you do and for all you continue to do."

Kristen England, the Council's chief executive, told all the nominees: “You are what makes this place (Bradford) so special. Tonight we have celebrated people of all ages and from all communities. It shows that people can, and people do, in this district.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, portfolio holder neighbourhoods and community safety, added: “It has been an honour to be here tonight and it has been a privilege to hear of all the work you do. This has been a reminder that we have talented, caring people in our community. By working together we can achieve great things.”

Joshua Capper, 15, who was winner of the fundraising award said he was delighted to have won. He learned to swim only eight months ago with the help of his cousin and raised more than £2,000 which was split between two charities. One was for the children’s ward at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
“I couldn’t have done it without my council. I learned to swim and then swam half-a-mile-across part of lake Windermere. I plan to do a mile next year,” he said.

Gail Whitmore, Year 4 teacher at Shirley Manor Primary School, said she was thrilled. “We were thrilled just to have been nominated but to have won is wonderful and it has all been down to the children who have done lovely things for people with dementia.”

Adil Shaan, of Friends of the Deceased, had helped organise three clean-ups in Scholemoor Cemetery after a Facebook post about fly-tipping in the cemetery. "A team of us have organised three clean-ups since July involving more than 1,000 helpers. Being nominated was an honour, winning is an achievement, thank you for your support."

The Better Start Bradford Award for outstanding achievement winner Salhia Ahmed, who volunteers with Bradford Doulas, said she was thrilled: "For me it is an honour to help women through a big stage in their lives and it is thanks to my husband for letting me go out at all hours of the night to be with them."

Zafar Kayani, who won the Good Neighbours Award said: "I am pleased, honoured and humbled to accept this award and I want to give an enormous salute to all the nominees."

Christopher McDermott, winner of the Volunteers Award for his work with Memory Tree and Idle Dementia Friendship Group said he got involved after he lost his wife to Alzheimers. "I went through a very dark patch but I wanted to help other people and decided to join the Memory Tree which helps people with dementia.

Janet Cuff, 78, works tirelessly to keep disability organisation Able All afloat. "I want to thank everyone who has helped me over the years. Hopefully Able All will have funding for next year. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I am very pleased to accept it."

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