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This weekend the unsung heroes of Northamptonshire were honoured in a special award ceremony help by the Evening Telegraph and Northamptonshire County Council.
Here we take a look at the winners of this year's Pride in Northamptonshire awards.
Award for excellent public service
Winner - Delia Gordon
Delia won the award for excellent public service for her work with the sensory impairment unit at the county council's community services department.
She works with deaf and hearing impaired people throughout the county, making sure they geet the help and support they need to stay in their own home, often going the extra mile for her clients.
She was nominated by Lucy Bunning.
Delia said: "I didn't expect to win at all. It's an amazing job and I feel like I change people's lives every day. In a lot of ways being deaf is the invisible disability - people can't see that somebody can't hear so often they are the forgotten few."
Runner-up - The Well Community Cafe
Young achievers award
Winner - Cody Hall
Cody Hall has touched the hearts of Evening Telegraph readers for more than 10 years.
She has had 19 operations to correct a severe haemangioma on her face which threatened her life.
Her dad Tony nominated her for the Young Achievers award in recognition of her bravery throughout her treatment.
Cody, of Corby, said: "It means so much to me that the surrounding towns thought that much of me after so much I've been through.
"I didn't really know my parents had nominated me. I don't know what to say.
"Without my family, doctor, people in Corby and the surrounding towns I wouldn't be where I am today."
Runner-up - Ryan Coles
Friendly neighbour award
Winner - Barbara Abbott
Barbara Abbott is known as a modern day 'Florence Nightingale' in her community.
She was nominated for the award by Judith Coton for her devotion to her friends and neighbours. She participates in the Christmas tree festival and has prepared the teas for the blood donor centre for 22 years.
Barbara also helps by collecting prescriptions for the elderly, helps raise money for charity and serves meals on wheels for over 20 years.
She said: "I'm gobsmacked. I don't do it for this sort of thing. I do it for what it is.
"I'll continue all the while I can do it. They all tell me I've got a lot of years in front of me. I've really enjoyed tonight."
Runner-up - Raj Patel
Caring in the community award
Winner - Jan Brown
Jan Brown raised thousands of pounds for the Crazy Hats breast cancer charity before she lost her own battle with the disease this year.
Jan first came into contact with the Wellingborough-based charity when she was diagnosed two years ago and went on to become its treasurer.
She ran Wollaston Post Office with her husband Vic and the couple set up a Crazy Hats section in the branch to collect money and came up with her own creative fundraising ideas.
She was nominated by Glennis Hooper, founder of the Crazy Hats Appeal.
Vic, who collected the award on his wife's behalf, said: "I miss her every day. She was brilliant - she would be gobsmacked at this.
Whatever she died and raised she wouldn't have asked for recognition, she didn't do it for that."
Runner-up - Glynis and David Wagg and Vi Fisher
People who help young people to fulfil their potential
Winner - Brian Smithers
David Jelfs noninated Brian Smithers for the award because of the difference he has made to his own life.
David has learning difficulties but with Brian's help he is now enjoying an active social life which he would not have been able to experience before.
Brian is a volunteer at The Studio day centre and often goes beyond the call of duty for the people he works with.
He has proved how one individual's contribution can have a huge effect on another person's life.
Award for hard work and determination
Winner - Petrina Alderman
Since Petrina Alderman set up the Animals Needing Nurturing and Adoption at her Irthlingborough home four years ago she has helped more than 4,500 animals.
She is always at the end of the phone in case there is an animal that needs shelter or a pet owner that needs advice, and she has tirelessly raised money to keep the charity going.
Petrina has loved animals since she was a child. She said: "I became disabled just over 10 years and and it gives me a reason to get up and do something. Even when I was little I loved animals - I used to give injured birds to my dad that I found so he could make them better."
She was nominated for the award by Pauline Wicks.
Petrina said: I feel shocked to win. This award is for the whole team, it is all run by volunteers - it isn't just me."
Runner-up - Air Ambulance staff, crew and volunteers
Fundraiser of the year
Winner - Hedley Williams
After Hedley Williams was seriously injured his leg in an accident he neeed to undergo a major leg lengthening and straightening prodecure.
But things didn't go well and his recovery took much longer than expected, leaving him on crutches for two years.
To help him recuperate he took up long distance cycling to strengthen his leg and he decided to take part in a sponsored bike ride across Britain in seven days to raise money for charity.
His efforts generated 2,300 for Park Infants School in Raunds and the diabetes centre at Northampton General Hospital.
Hedley, 35, said: "I'm in total shock. I had no idea whatsoever that there were only two nominations.
"I was quite nervous when I realised I had to go on stage even as a runner up.
"At first, I was trying to cycle two or three miles to get my strength back. Money raised from cycling across the country was 100 per cent for charity.
"I've had great support from by wife, mother and father and mother in law.
"I now work at Coca Cola Enterprise in Milton Keynes and sometimes cycle there. It's 25 miles."
Runner-up - the Swain family
Courage award for outstanding bravery
Winner - Jack Summers
Six-year-old Jack Summers gave his mum the ultimate Mother's Day present this year.
When a fire broke out at their home, it was Jack that first noticed the smoke and he ran downstairs to tell his mum Naomi the bedroom was on fire.
Thanks to his quick thinking the family managed to flee the fire unhurt.
Naomi, who nominated her son for the award, said: ""The fire was upstairs and I was downstairs dealing with my baby daughter when Jack saw it and came and told me. He was only five at the time.
"I'm ecstatic he won this award. It's brilliant to get this for him, I'm happy - really happy."
Runner-up - Bob Willis
Unsung hero
Winner - Avril Scott
Avril Scott had no doubts about donating a kidney to her mother Maureen Clarke.
Maureen had been travelling to Leicester for dialysis every week for a year, but thansk to her daughter she now has a healthy kidney and faces a positive future.
Avril lives in Yorkshire and travelled to Leicester General many times for blood tests, X-rays and all other tests about being a kidney donor.
Avril, 46, said: "It's a bit emotional and very moving. It's been a wonderful evening and very well organised.
"I volunteered to go forward for the kidney donation. I was quite low on energy a lot of the time when I was recovering. The reason I did it is because I loved my mum."
Runner-up - Andy and Jacqui Meades
Raising the profile of Northamptonshire
Winner - Robert Wharton
Robert Wharton has dedicated the last 14 years to creating a museum for the town of Wellingborough.
His aunt gave him some funding to set up the museum and he has worked day and night to make the dream a reality.
Wellingborough Museum opened last year, staffed entirely by volunteers, and has proven immensely popular with local people, visitors and schools.
Runner-up - Neil Griffin
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
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