Tears, joy and a room packed with real heroes
It is a highlight in the Sunderland social calendar, and this year’s event certainly did not disappoint.
The Best of Wearside Awards proved to be a tearjerking, awe-inspiring, drama-filled evening which just kept delivering highlights.
There was the awards for the six winners in the Child of Courage category – Rubie O’Brien, Courtney Collier, Charlie Creaser, Bradley Lowery, Brooklyn Hutchinson, and Abbie Pinder.
And then there was Team Bradley – Lynn Murphy, Michael Eggleston, Charlie Creaser, along with Bradley himself – who were all presented with a Special Recognition Award for the way they have helped the little lad with support and fundraising.
Who could forget the cries of “Ooh Bally Bally” as Sunderland legend Kevin Ball collected his Lifetime Contribution Award, honouring his career on the pitch?
But these were just some of the highlights on an incredible night of achievement which also saw Michael Ganley collect the Judges’ Choice Award; Andrea Bartlett, Lynsey Curry and Madeleine Hauxwell chosen as Students of the Year; Tara Middleton lift the Fundraiser of the Year title; Vol- unteer of the Year winners were Ann and Robert Lillie; Sporting Achievement of the Year winner was Matt Wylie; the Autism Outreach Team was the Community Group of the Year with The Songbirds highly commended.
Jean Bramham became Community Champion of the Year; Local Hero Award went to bus driver Steven Tomkins, and Ellis Coupland and Kian Henderson were highly commended in this category.
Carer of the Year went to Linda and Colin Parkin.
But as the audience of more than 300 people at the Stadium of Light was told, every one of the shortlisted contenders were winners for the incredible work they do.
Read on for lots of interviews from a remarkable night.
“This is a real highlight in the Echo calendar” JOY YATES