The shrieks of joy from six delighted youngsters summed up the whole event.
The talented young disabled people from the Borough of Kirklees Swimming Club had dressed up in their best clothes for a night out.
They were one of the most popular winners at last night’s glittering Examiner Community Awards.
And their sheer delight summed up the wonderful community spirit on show at the John Smith’s Stadium.
So, too, did the reception for a man very much at home in the stadium.
Dean Hoyle had been there countless times as a fan of Huddersfield Town and in recent years as club owner.
But last night it was the crowd’s turn to honour him for his amazing work with the Town Foundation and the Keep It Up appeal.
The former, set up by Mr Hoyle, is helping thousands of youngsters every week in Huddersfield with activities such as breakfast clubs.
And the Keep It Up appeal has raised a staggering amount of money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the football club’s Academy.
Dean collected the Achievement Award, sponsored by Cummins Turbo Technologies, to round off a night at which everything that was good about Huddersfield was to the fore.
He said: “Hearing about what everyone else has gone through is so inspiring.
“They think more about how they can help others rather than themselves.
“The positive thing that we can get from all this is that there are so many people across Huddersfield and Kirklees who are determined to put others first.”
Dean told the audience some salutary tales of extreme poverty and suffering that he had encountered in schools across Huddersfield since setting up the Town Foundation, which now helps thousands of children every week.
One was a five-year-old boy who was caring for his drug addict mother while another concerned a young boy who could barely talk but barked, because he had been living with a dog.
But he added: “No-one can blame the children - it is never their fault.
“What we can do, what we are doing, is through the generosity of so many people giving their time, their money, and their commitment is making a difference.
“We have heard some fantastic stories here tonight of personal sacrifice, of personal courage.
“It never ceases to amaze me how people in Huddersfield are prepared to go that extra mile.
“In Huddersfield in 2014, in this country in 2014, there is work to be done.”
And he revealed that his next project through the Foundation is to organise day trips to the seaside for hundreds of youngsters.
“Many of them have never seen the sea. We want to get them on coaches, let them play football and cricket on the sand and then enjoy a fish and chip lunch”
Earlier in the evening, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney had helped to welcome the guests.
He said: “This is a night about you, the good people of Huddersfield.
“We have some very wonderful people here and after a week of bad news in many communities across the town, it is heartening to be here to see what is good about our community.”
Examiner editor Roy Wright said it was a night even better than the Oscars, with many stories of courage, determination and achievement.
Andy Hirst, the newspaper’s Head of Content, co-hosted the event with ITN newsreader Nina Hossain, who was brought up in Huddersfield and said she was “delighted” to be back on such an inspirational night.
Andy said: “Look through any edition of the Examiner and you’ll find good news in abundance.
“Tonight we’re throwing the spotlight on that good news so forget the bad for tonight at least. These are your awards so please help us celebrate.”
Examiner Community Awards 2014: posthumous special award for rugby league stalwart Keith Burhouse - click here
Examiner Community Awards 2014: meet our amazing winners - click here to see
Examiner Community Awards 2014: live updates from the awards - click here to see
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