Introducing the winners of the Yorkshire Big Thank You Awards 2020 AWARDS
THEY ARE two small words that mean so very much – thank you.
In a year that has been like no other, taking the time to stop and give our thanks to those making life better is more important than ever.
Our lives have all been turned upside down in the face of a global pandemic – and the impact has been profound and far-reaching.
But the most striking thing to come out of this terrible time has been the immense collective sense of strength and support from our towns, villages and communities right across Yorkshire.
We have seen so many stories of truly inspirational people – like the 11 winners
Bobby grew up in Pontefract and now runs BB Nevison Superstore and Post Office. He has been nominated for these awards 13 times by separate people.
He has given away bags of free food to families in need during lockdown and has also set up a delivery service at his own expense, let people have tabs who are short of money and helped out wherever he can with free giveaways and competitions. featured – who have gone above and beyond to support those in need this year.
Looking through the entries submitted for the Big Thank You Awards by readers of the Halifax Courier and our sister titles in the region, we have been touched by the fantastic stories of those who have made
One nominee called him “a real life superhero” and said he should be recognised for all his hard work and kindness because he’s got a heart of gold and would help anybody and always goes the extra mile.
At the start of lockdown in March, he said: “I know a lot of elderly and vulnerable people and I wouldn’t like to see them go without, this is my way of supporting them and giving back to them..
In partnership with: such a difference to so many people’s lives this year.
You’ve made thousands of face masks, you’ve delivered hundreds of thousands of food parcels and you truly have been a lifeline to many.
We really are so blessed to have so many kind and caring people who are an inspiration to us all here in Yorkshire.
And on December 11, we were able to come together virtually to celebrate that spirit of community through our Big Thank You Awards event.
Daniel set up WF3 Kindness, a community support group for the Tingley, Ardsley and Thorpe areas while he was laid in his hospital bed after having a spinal operation. He leads.an army of volunteers who provide vital support to the most vulnerable.
They provide food hampers to people struggling to feed families; distribute ‘Kindness Packages’ to people in need of a pick me up; offer practical
Open to readers and the public, it was a chance to say a special thank you to all the shortlisted finalists chosen from the dozens of nominations originally put forward by our readers.
Those 20 extraordinary finalists had gone forward to a public poll to choose our ultimate winners, with more than 9,000 people voting.
Joining us online to reveal the 11 winners and acting as our help with tasks around the home; collect prescriptions for those unable or too anxious to go out; provide mental health support through a registered, qualified and insured counsellor and give gifts to some of the most deprived children in the area.
Daniel, who lives with wife Sarah and son Oliver, four, also juggles a full-time day job, working in IT for law firm DLA Piper where is also charity partner account manager.
Supported by: host on the night was veteran TV presenter Harry Gration – and he wasn’t alone in wanting to share his gratitude.
Our finalists and the rest of the online audience were treated to performances from Wakefield-based entertainer Matt J Magic and singersongwriter Callum Kewan.
And there were special appearances by celebrities who wanted to say their own thank you as well.
Kirklees’ Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker was joined by
Described by her own mum as an “inspiration all round”. The 8-year-old girl has been making face masks to raise money for the charity treating her grandfather’s cancer. The idea came about when MollieAnne and her family found out that he was fighting cancer again after two previously failed remissions.
Macmillan and Cancer Research are two of the charities helping through his treatment, so Mollie-Anne actresses Verity Rushworth and Angela Griffin, Emmerdale actor Bradley Johnson, BBC Look North’s Keeley Donovan, and celebrity hair stylist Andrew Barton in saying a big thank you to all our finalists.
The event was possible thanks to the generosity of our main sponsors Sovereign Health Care, along with partners Gama Healthcare and Bradford Council, plus support from data facilities.
Together, they have also kindly given £1,600 to the Children’s Hospital Charity in Sheffield – the charity to which we invited those watching the event to make a donation.
Finally, we must also say a thank you today to all of you who took the time to make a nomination or cast a vote. We’re sure you’ll agree our 11 winners are truly deserving of our gratitude – and hope you’ll to take the time to say thank you to the people who make a difference in your lives too. decided she wanted to raise money for them.
Working with her grandmother, who lives in Featherstone, Mollie-Anne learned how to use a sewing machine to make the masks, which she then sold in exchange for a donation to her charities.
Each mask was packaged in a cellophane bag with a special tag that she has also made herself. She raised £100 in the first week alone.