Holmfirth-based business advisors and accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP is proud to sponsor the Courage Award.
Partner Amanda Vigar said: “We thrive on being associated with winners, but by sponsoring the award for courage for we want to celebrate every one of this year’s nominees.
“They have all gone beyond the normal expectations of everyday life and have shown what can be achieved with true bravery and determination. Although times may seem tough for all of us at the moment the stories of these brave individuals certainly help us to get life in perspective. More than that, they show us how we can approach the challenges of the commercial world with integrity, strength and the courage that is needed to succeed.
“There can only be one winner on the night, but we salute all the nominees for their acts of courage beyond what could reasonably be expected from them.”
Pam Thornes is well-known to countless individuals and companies throughout Kirklees in her role as a fundraiser.
Over the last two decades she has thrown herself into her work with amazing dedication and enthusiasm – with wonderful results.
Pam, 53, has been responsible for raising literally millions of pounds for a number of local charities – but now she is facing a big battle herself against cancer.
And no matter what procedure she is undergoing, her first thoughts are for the charity and she’s even continuing to fundraise from her bed.
Pam first became involved over 20 years ago when her mother died of undiagnosed breast cancer and began to raise money for a breast cancer clinic at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary – and found she was rather good at it.
She first worked as a fundraiser for Barnardos before moving to Kirkwood Hospice, bringing the successful Millennium Madness campaign to the hospice in 2000. She later joined the newly-launched Yorkshire Air Ambulance to manage fundraising in South Yorkshire before returning to Huddersfield in 2005 as fundraising manager for the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust and became its Trust manager.
Despite the recession, Pam’s ability to innovate has continued to generate funds for the Trust and she knows first-hand the trauma that cancer can have on individuals and their families. Her two sisters have battled breast cancer and last autumn, Pam herself was diagnosed with the condition and had a double mastectomy.
Husband Andrew brought a laptop so she could continue her fundraising work form her hospital bed.
This was followed with a further operation to remove lymph nodes, but just a few days after the procedure Pam was at the Trust’s Great Gatsby Ball in Bradford, encouraging people to support the charity.
She said: “How can I complain about my cancer when there are young people with their full lives in front of them fighting this dreadful disease?”
Her positive attitude and passion to help others is truly inspiring and her energy still burns brightly. She says her own illness has made her even more determined to battle on behalf of all cancer sufferers.
“I’ve lost my hair and my eyebrows, but it is still me,” she said. “Cancer doesn’t play a fair game, but I’ve thrown everything I can at it. I am on Facebook and very open about everything. I am highlighting the issue and dispelling myths – and I’ve had amazing support.”
And Pam paid a special tribute to the Macmillan and oncology nurses at Huddersfield and Calderdale hospitals.
When a robber threatened Ellen Whitaker with a knife in her face the diminutive shop worker didn’t hesitate to act.
Without thinking of her personal safety, she twisted the hooded teenager’s arm up his back, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and marched him out of the shop
The would-be thief ran away from, Candyman in Batley Arcade, threatening to take revenge on the 67-year old.
Ellen, who lives in Batley, immediately rang the police who arrested the youth. The incident happened on November 30 last year and her attacker – a 15-year-old from Batley – has since been sentenced to four months’ community service for attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article.
Ellen is only 5ft ins tall and the youth was at least 9ins taller, but she says she did not think of the danger.
“He came into the shop when I was behind the counter, swore and demanded the money from the till,” she said.
“I thought: ‘I have worked all of my life, why should I give you anything?’ Then I told him to get out, so he came behind the counter and put a knife in front of my face.
“I pushed and threw him out of the shop, it was just instinct. He wasn’t going to get any money off me.”
Ellen said that the police arrived shortly afterwards and she felt fine. It wasn’t until she woke up the following morning that she realised how dangerous the situation had been and her legs turned to jelly.
She has been nominated by West Yorkshire Police, who have commended her bravery and prompt action in activating the alarm, enabling them to make a successful arrest.
Shop owner Dennis Fisher said: “The hero was definitely Ellen, the way she pushed him right out of the shop into the arcade with no harm to herself.”
Candyman has recently closed after several decades in the area, but Mr Fisher, wife Margaret and daughter Karen have all praised Ellen for her actions and will be joining her at the Community Awards evening at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Huddersfield bus driver Richard Moon was quick to react when a blind passenger was at risk from a savage dog.
Richard also averted tragedy for the passenger’s guide dog.
The 41-year-old First bus driver was driving the 306 Newsome to Huddersfield service and had stopped on Newsome Road to let passengers off at around 7.25pm on September 20.
As the last customer left, he became aware of a fracas on board the bus.
A bull terrier was attacking a black Labrador guide dog called Mick and without thinking of his own safety, Richard dived in and fearlessly pulled the vicious dog away to end the savage attack.
“It all happened very quickly,” he said. “When I heard the commotion I immediately leapt out of my cab and saw a Staffordshire bull terrier attacking a guide dog.
I have three dogs of my own so it was fairly obvious to me that the dog was intent on seriously injuring the guide dog. I was also fearful that the guide dog owner or some of my other customers would get injured in the fracas.
“So I immediately jumped in and managed to pull the aggressive dog away. The dog and its owners left the bus and I tended to the guide dog and its owner. Both seemed shaken by the incident and it looked like the guide dog had suffered some injuries. However, it could have been much worse.”
Mick’s owner David Quarmby, 65, of Newsome, visited the bus depot to thank Richard in person for coming to the rescue of his five-year-old black Labrador-Retriever cross who suffered a gash during the incident but has since recovered well.
He said: “It was a very frightening experience and one that left both Mick and I a little traumatised. If it wasn’t for Richard’s quick intervention, Mick could have been seriously injured.
“I’ve always been impressed by First’s bus drivers – they always make sure I’m well looked after. However, I would never have expected a driver to put himself in danger, as Richard did. His actions were heroic.”
Richard lives in Huddersfield and in February the bus company recognised his bravery by presenting him with a special commendation designed to reward staff who go above and beyond the call of duty.
