THE Heart of Ulverston awards brought the community together and honoured the people who really care.  

The event, held at the Coronation Hall on Friday night, was packed as 14 community champions were honoured for all the hard work and dedication they bring to the town. 

The black tie event was presented by Ralph Spours. 

The first person to be honoured that evening was Gavin Knott who was named Citizen of the Year. 

This was the only award where the public got to vote. 

Mr Knott owns Appleseeds Health Store in Ulverston and has also been the driving force behind the 2nd Ulverston Scouts for the last 28 years. 

On accepting his award he thanked his wife. 

He said: "We have just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary and she is the person who has allowed all this to happen. This is as much for her as it is for me."

Next up was 17-year-old Ben Lewis who scooped Young Citizen of the Year. 

The music and theatre enthusiast has not only been recognised for his performing abilities but also for his fundraising efforts when it comes to St Mary's Hospice. 

He said: "What I do is a drop in the ocean compared to others. I am really proud to be from Ulverston and I would like to say thank you to all the people from this town who have given me the best possible start in life." 

Elizabeth Thompson received the award for Environmental Volunteer. 

She was praised for all the work she does to maintain the parish churchyard in the town. 

She said: "I could not do this job without the wonderful team of helpers that I have. They are always so willing to help." 

Members from the committee of the Ulverston Dickensian Festival took to the stage to accept their award for Community Group/Project of the Year. 

Jan Hancock described herself as being 'gobsmacked' and 'humbled'. 

She said: "It's a lot of hard work organising the festival every year but it's also a lot of fun."

It was third time lucky for Simon Cross who won Teacher of the Year. 

The Croftlands Junior School teacher had been nominated three times in total for going that extra mile. 

He is also the driving force behind child band, Pesky. 

He said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to my head teacher who has been unbelievably supportive. She's never batted an eyelid once when she has come in my classroom and seen that it looks like a second hand music shop." 

Married coaching couple, Margaret and Fred Mawdsley were honoured for the work they do at their hockey club. 

After accepting the award for Sports Volunteer of the Year Mrs Mawdsley said: "There's a saying in hockey and that's 'to be inspired'. 

"The person who inspires me is a 76-year-old man who plays for the Great Britain Great Grand Masters and until he retires we can't. I would love to see every child in this town take part in some sort of sport, they are always welcome at hockey."

Blood Bikers Edgar Baines and Ian Clark were announced as the winners for the Helping Hand award. 

Mr Baines was unable to attend the event so fellow blood biker, John Walker, accepted the award on his behalf. 

Mr Walker said: "I would like to say from North West Blood Bikes we really appreciate this award and this recognition." 

Ali Alger from Ford Park was called on stage to accept the award for Employee of the Year. 

She couldn't praise her team enough. 

She said: "I would not be here without my team, if I have a skill it is being able to surround myself with a talented team who make up for all my deficits. 

"I would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who has made it really clear how much Ford Park means to them." 

Up and coming teen golfer, Natasha Slater was recognised for her sporting abilities and was awarded the Young Sports Performance of the Year award. 

The Ulverston Victoria High School student thanked her school and her parents. 

She said: "I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for all their support.

"I think its so great to see so much talent in Ulverston - it's wonderful." 

The judges struggled when it came to the courage award but eventually they came to terms with the fact that they just couldn't chose between Gail Whiteley and Konrad Orlowski so both of them were given the award. 

Mrs Whiteley said: "Ulverston has been wonderful to me and to take the little ducklings and turn them into swans has been a privilege."

Mr Orlowski was unable to attend the event so on his behalf his friend, Doctor Gerry Murray accepted it for him. 

He said: "I didn't realise that when I nominated my best mate he would skip the country. 

"Over the years he has had so many ups and downs with the gradual loss of his sight but he is such an inspiration to me. I am so privileged to accept this award on behalf of my best mate." 

Jos Kenley accepted his Lifetime Achievement award and throughout his speech was greeted with cheers and applause from the audience.  

He said: "If it's all about team work the one person I have to thank is my wife, she has supported me throughout my rugby career and we have always had to organise our social calendar around it. 

"It will probably cost me another Pandora bracelet."