It was the toughest choice of the night for the judges and in the end they simply could not separate Billy Comerford or Sara Gill who were revealed as joint winners.
This is only the second time in the awards’ 16-year history this has happened.
Billy saved Deighton Working Men’s Club when it was just hours from closing down, transformed it into a great success and now spends around 40 voluntary hours at the club every week.
Sara founded Stanley’s Training Project to help people with learning disabilities gain work experience and qualifications – and has been funding most of it herself by working nights as a nurse.
She also runs an Activity Café for people with dementia or learning disabilities and their carers.
The judges said: “Although the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association deserve special mention for their wonderful group commitment to this area the judges have been very moved by the unbelievable personal commitment that Billy and Sara have both made to their organisations.”
Sara said: “It’s a fantastic night and I’m so stunned to have won. Everyone has done some amazing things.
“We plan to carry on and we are always looking at ways of taking on new things”.
Billy, who admits helping the club keeps him active in retirement, was staggered.
“I didn’t even know I had been nominated until the Examiner rang me and even then I thought they were talking about the club which does so much for charity.
!I just want to thank everyone who has been involved in this awards ceremony and everyone who has supported me over the years”.
● The runner-up in this category, sponsored by the Myers Group, was the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association.
