13 is often regarded as an unlucky number - but not in Huddersfield.
Take a look below to see 13 awards and the wonderful people who won them which illustrate why Huddersfield is a great place.
Services to Charity
Ian and Pam Firth
This dedicated couple won an exceptionally high standard category by taking fundraising into kidney research to new heights.
Ian and Pam have been driving forces within the Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund since the mid 90s when Pam received a kidney transplant in 1997 following two years of dialysis.
Ian wanted to help other kidney patients and joined the charity as a volunteer and even though he broke his back in a riding accident five years ago and had a heart attack in 2011 he remained dedicated to the charity.
Ian was chairman for 15 years and remains a trustee and main organiser. The couple have been instrumental in bringing about fundamental changes which have led to the charity serving the whole of Yorkshire and financing around £250,000 of research work every year.
Ian said: “We feel very humbled to have won the award. The money is spent on specific things and we only employ one part-time person. Over 95% of the money raised goes towards their work.”
The criteria for any spending is very strict.
Pam said: “It is most wonderful and totally unexpected.”
* The runners-up in this category, sponsored by Pennine Trade and Retail Windows Ltd, were Kamal Aftab and Keith Parry.
Services to the Community
Lee Orton
Lee is very lucky to be here – for he collapsed from a rare heart condition and suffered a cardiac arrest while playing football in Huddersfield.
He was saved by the quick-thinking actions of former nurse Mark Martin who was watching and an ambulance crew with a defibrillator who arrived in the nick of time.
That near-death experience has spurred him to do all he can to save other lives. Since then he has gone on to set up a new charity called Huddersfield Goals 4 Hearts to provide as many heart-starting defibrillators as possible at amateur football grounds throughout Huddersfield along with first aid training.
He said: “ It was a big shock to be nominated so to win is unbelievable.
“I almost feel like I shouldn’t be here because there are so many wonderful people in the room tonight who have done amazing things for the community.
“I never expected the charity to do as well as it has and I think that social media and the support of the football community has helped a lot .
The judges said: “These are three nominees who are showing brilliant dedication to their communities but Lee has rallied so many others into helping him to potentially save lives. “
Lee wants defibrillators in schools too after discovering that 16 school children die from sudden cardiac arrests in the UK each year.
* The runners-up in this category, sponsored by Myers Group, were Kerry Sykes and Sofia Buncy.
Teacher of the Year
Liz Dobson
Liz won for taking teaching out of the lecture theatres at Huddersfield University and into the community where she has set up a project to create jobs.
She is a musician who lectures in music technology and in October 2012 set up Collabhub which today brings together some 660 people – both students and members of Huddersfield’s creative community – to exchange ideas and form new ones in music, film making, theatre, dance and writing.
Through Collabhub, people come together to explore creative ideas and some have gone on to set up businesses together.
Liz said: “I was absolutely not expecting to win this at all, especially when I saw the other candidates.
“The awards are very special and it has been wonderful to see all the people who have been nominated and to think there are many other people who never made it to the awards.
“It jus shows how many good things are going on in Huddersfield. I’m absolutely blown away by it all.”
* The other nominees in this category, sponsored by Stafflex, were Gail Newton and Rukhsana Maqsud.
Arts Award
Richard Gawthorpe
Richard has raised the phenomenal amount of £300,000 for Kirkwood Hospice through his art.
He began Kirkwood Hospice’s personalised Christmas card scheme 20 years ago by painting local scenes for their card designs after he’d already painted local scenes for greetings cards for the hospice. He also put on an art exhibition and spent time finding and developing sponsors to maximise the money that was raised.
Over the years he has put in well over 4,000 voluntary hours to raise the staggering amount.
Richard said: “It’s a great shock and it’s a fantastic honour.
“I enjoy painting and I’m glad that my work has benefited people at the hospice .
“Twenty years ago I walked in there and asked the stupid question to an old lady of ‘are they looking after you here?’
“When she told me that being there made her feel like she was already in heaven I vowed that I would give my full support for the hospice from that day on.”
Hospice fundraising manager Marie Peacock said: “The money that Richard has raised covers the cost of caring for hundreds of people in our community.”
* The runners-up in this category, sponsored by the Examiner, were Hoot Breathing Space Project and Huddersfield University Brass Band.
Friend of the Year
Sophia Crawshaw
Sophia set up a pioneering charity which reaches out to the most vulnerable and needy people within the community across Kirklees despite suffering from ill-health herself.
She has the chronic condition ME, has put together a team of 44 volunteers and now spends up to 60 hours of her time a week on her charity One Good Turn.
She said: “I’m shaking with shock. This means so much to me and winning the award wouldn’t have been possible without all my wonderful volunteers who devote so much of their time to the charity, so I would like to thank them all.
“It’s great to receive something in the community that I work in.
“I’m not religious but I feel like I have been inspired and given the energy to keep going from up above.
“Today is nine years since my dad passed away so it’s amazing to get this tonight.”
The charity helps the most needy people in society and Sophia helps single parents and vulnerable adults who have additional needs or are battling depression and other illnesses or disabilities. The charity provides essentials such as white goods, furniture and carpets and also provides emotional, practical and group support.
Sophia has raised £34,000 in the last 12 months to run the project and does all the book-keeping, administration and volunteer co-ordination.
* Also shortlisted in this category, sponsored by Locala, were Martha Leek and Culture Club.
Student Community Award
Thomas Berry
Thomas won for paying a wonderful tribute to his late grandfather’s memory and for his outstanding community work.
When his grandad, Keith Taylor, died last Christmas Day from bowel cancer, the 15-year-old decided he would do something in his memory and decided on what he describes as “revenge” by fundraising for Cancer Research UK. So Thomas grew his hair and then had it all shaved off to raise £400.
He also volunteers at the Oxfam charity shop on Colne Road every Saturday, is a sports leader, a member of Huddersfield Army cadets and is a member of both the junior and men’s crown green bowling teams at Almondbury Bowling Club.
He cares deeply about his family and friends, is well-respected at his school, Almondbury High, where head of physical education Catherine Ketteringham said: “He is an absolute inspiration to children and adults alike.”
Thomas, who hopes to become a policeman, said that he had never won anything like this before and was very surprised to win as the other candidates were so strong. Dad Mark said: “We are all very proud of Thomas and would be whether he had won or not. .”
* The runners-up in this category, sponsored by Huddersfield University, were Matthew Armitage and the Xplorer Course at Kirklees College.
Young Personality of the Year
Jess Hirst
The judges said 14-year-old Jess was “someone who has shown remarkable physical and mental strength to excel in a sport few girls would even think of trying.”
She took up throwing the hammer, discuss and shot putt and through sheer determination has taken them to a high competitive level.
In 2010 she won the Under 13 Girls’ Discus gold medal at the West Yorkshire Track and Field Championships. The following year she took the Yorkshire Under 13 Girls’ Shot Putt and West Yorkshire Under 13 Girls’ Shot Putt and Under 13 Girls’ Discus titles.
Last year she won gold medals at county and regional level and helped Yorkshire to lift the Inter Counties Athletics Championships. She also won Kirklees Schools’ only gold in discus in a competition in Italy and silver in the shot putt at the European Kids Athletics Games in the Czech Republic.
Jess hopes to represent England.
Jess said: “I am overwhelmed and shocked to win. There was some very tough competition, the other two finalists are amazing people.
“Although I have won awards for my sports, I have never won anything like this. “This is from my own community and it is a privilege. The evening is the most amazing thing, it shows our community in such a positive light.”
* Runners-up in this category, sponsored by Pearson Funeral Service, were Ben Varley and Kircho Ruskov.
Emergency Services Personality
Andy Wooler
Andy won’t let anything stop him … not even a brain tumour.
For within weeks of finishing radiotherapy and chemotherapy the watch commander was back at work at Huddersfield fire station even though the tumour is still there and his prognosis is uncertain.
And although his illness means he can’t be on the fire engines he’s now devised vital training for firefighters on how to deal with potentially deadly electrical cables when they are battling a blaze.
Andy is also helping a charity that’s come very close to his heart. He was so moved by what he learned in hospital about the children’s cancer charity Candlelighters he vowed to help them out – and raised £2,000 with a fundraising car wash at Huddersfield fire station.
Winning the award has inspired Andy to do even more with Candlelighters.
He said: “I am shaking and absolutely overjoyed to win this award, I have never won anything like it before and it was such a strong category, the others were fantastic.
“I had no idea the awards were so big and it has been great to see so many people and hear of the fantastic things they’re doing.
“ I am proud to be from Huddersfield, it is inspiring ”
* The other two nominees in this category, sponsored by Easy Fireplace, were PCSO Deb Smith and a team of PCSOs Jon Arey, Paul Simpkins, Morgan Cockcroft and Christopher McNamara.
Community Project of the Year
Huddersfield Crusaders
They are the best in Yorkshire and have proved it time and time again – but they do far more than simply compete.
For Huddersfield Crusaders Majorette Troupe are also at the heart of the Brackenhall community they serve, bringing immense pride to the area.
The judges said that the “Crusaders is a group that is the very heartbeat of the community it serves, giving young people opportunities they would never otherwise have had and then taking them to amazing and consistent success.”
The troupe has won the Yorkshire Carnival Association Universal Championships seven times and the Great Britain Baton Twirling Association championships three times as well as winning ‘Best and Most Creative Baton Work’ twice.
They were one of the first majorette troupes to bring a mix of ethnicities into the competitive scene in Yorkshire and also do community and charity work.
Receiving the award was Sophie Simpson, Troupe trainer and Corrina Bedford, one of the senior members, who said they were so shocked to receive it. Corrina said: “Sophie is the master of the troupe, who meet twice a week. It’s brilliant!”
They currently have around 20 youngsters with some senior members as well.
* The runners-up in this category, sponsored by Ramsdens Solicitors, were Jean Fry and Aunti Pam’s
Community Event of the Year
Linthwaite Old Folk's Treat
It's been going for well over 100 years and is a major community effort to give old folk in Linthwaite a day to remember.
It’s paid for by people fundraising at Christmas with carol-singing by villagers and then on Christmas Day leaders and Explorers from the 17th Linthwaite Scouts go round house-to-house collecting.
People have their donations ready as it has become such a routine operation and they are always glad to support it.
Then it takes a 100-strong team of volunteers to make it happen on the day itself for 100 old folk.
Chairman of the organising committee Margaret Moriarty said: “We have some who may meet people here that they have known for a long time, but who they only see once a year. It is about getting together as a community.
“This is an old fashioned event but very well supported. Even the youngsters are very willing to help. The community spirit is fantastic.”
After the success of the old fold’s treat the committee now do a Luncheon Club once a fortnight which is also greatly received by the community.
* Also shortlisted in this category, sponsored by Syngenta, were the Methodist Mission Christmas Day Meal and Kirkwood Hospice Midnight Memory Walk.
Courage Award
Pam Thornes
Pam is a well-known charity fundraiser in Huddersfield who 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.
Over the last 20 years she has worked with Barnardos, Kirkwood Hospice, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and is now manager for the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.
Her two sisters have battled breast cancer and last autumn Pam herself was diagnosed with the condition and had a double mastectomy. She has courageously shared what she has gone through on social media every step of the way to dispel any myths about what fighting cancer is all about.
And she still continued working for the charity from her hospital bed using a laptop.
She said: “It’s a privilege and I’m totally humbled by it all. Life doesn’t always deal you a fair hand and sometimes you just have to get on with it.
“Having cancer made me realise how difficult it is for young people suffering from the disease because unlike me they have not had chance to live their life.
“This spurred me on to keep fighting for them through my fundraising, even when I was ill. It’s been a very difficult time for my family but they have been fabulous in their support.”
* Also nominated in this category, sponsored by V&A Bell Brown LLP were Richard Moon and Ellen Whitaker.
Sports Personality of the Year
Harry Marsden
Harry Marsden is Mr Sport.
The judges praised him for dedicating all his adult life to helping others enjoy sport, earning incredibly high respect from people throughout local football and cricket.
Now 68, Harry became secretary of Flockton Cricket Club in 1961 and Flockton Football Club in 1969 – posts he still holds to this day – and has played for both teams.
He has been the Flockton rep on the Huddersfield and District Association Football League since 1972 and is a life member of the association. He has also been vice president of Huddersfield FA for 20 years.
Harry was the junior football league registration secretary from 1993 to 2006, then became treasurer and continues in that role.
He’s kitman for Flockton Football Club and groundsman too, marking out the pitch and putting up the nets and he’s also groundsman at the cricket club. He’s been a cricket umpire for the last 15 years, is on the management board of Huddersfield Central Cricket League and a life member.
On receiving his award Harry said it was “lovely” to have received it. “I don’t do all this to get an award, I do it for the love,” he said.
James Whitefield of the sponsors asked Harry if he had brought his wife tonight. He replied: “No, she’s already been out once this year. I’ve brought my daughter instead.”
He did comment that he wasn’t very happy today as he couldn’t mark out the cricket pitch for tomorrow’s 20/20 game due to the rain.
The other nominees in this category, sponsored by Sandal BMW and MINI, Huddersfield, were Tim Jenkins and Shaun Townend.
Sports Team of the Year
Kirklees Disability Swim Squad
The last 12 months have been an inspirational year for this group of young disabled swimmers who have taken their sport to a new level.
For the 15 members of the Borough of Kirklees (BOK) disability swimming squad took on the rest of the world - and returned to Huddersfield with honours.
Teenagers Jonathan Booth and Maisie Burnand excelled at the British Para-Swimming International. Both have been targeted as possible future Paralympic contenders and belong to national talent programmes .
Seven squad members aged from 10 to 14 competed in the Special Olympic Games. The team – Jack Drennan, Aisling Connelly, Zoe Rank, Ruben Reuter, Joanne Kempley, Rebekah Hill and Ben Sweeney – surpassed all expectations, amassed a total of 14 medals and every swimmer won at least one medal and posted a personal best.
Ben has claimed five European, and one World Mosaic Down’s Syndrome record over the past year and he and Joanne and Ruben are in the GB Down’s Syndrome Squad.
Pregnant coach Gemma Hill-Ward, who is two weeks overdue, left hospital to attend the awards ceremony and was set to return afterwards. She said: “It was worth it! We train three or four times a week and are like an extended family. It’s brilliant that the club has won. The swimmers are an inspiration to us coaches, who are all volunteers.”
Team manager Chris Kempley added: “We are amazingly proud.”
* The other nominees in this category, sponsored by Longley Park Kia, were Huddersfield Town Ladies Under 14s and Huddersfield Judo Club
Examiner Community Awards 2014: Dean Hoyle wins Achievement Award - click here to see
Examiner Community Awards 2014: posthumous special award for rugby league stalwart Keith Burhouse - click here
See how the night happened with a recap (complete with videos) in our special award live coverage - click here
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