BILL Exley, the man who founded the breast cancer clinic appeal at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, has won a top award.
Last night he received the Yorkshire Unsung Hero Award in a glittering ceremony at Yorkshire Television's studios.
Bill, 73, set up the clinic appeal in 1989 after his first wife, Joyce, contracted breast cancer and had to be treated in a hospital corridor.
He is still a trustee of the charity, which has raised £900,000 over the past 13 years, including £350,000, which was donated towards a new breast ward at the infirmary, that now bears his name.
Bill, of Sheffield Road, New Mill, was elected to receive the award by viewers of YTV's Calendar.
He was presented with a crystal rosebowl at a ceremony filmed at the Leeds studios.
Bill said: "It took me by surprise. When I got up this morning it had only just sunk in.
"It's nice to be recognised but I only accepted the award on behalf of all those people who put their hands in their pockets."
Viewers were shown films highlighting the work of four hardworking volunteers.
And people voted in their thousands in a phone poll to choose a winner.
Proceeds from the awards evening will be distributed among the charities featured - so the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary breast cancer clinic appeal will benefit from Bill's win.
Nell McAndrew, the model who appeared in TV show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, was voted Woman of the Year.
Nell lives in London with her boyfriend, Huddersfield property developer Paul Hardcastle.
The awards ceremony will be screened on TV next Friday.
* Bill Exley received the services to charity award in the Examiner Community Awards in 2001.
