UNSUNG heroes of the community were given the recognition they deserved today at the Heart of Gloucestershire Awards 2014.
Finalists attended a glitzy ceremony at the Hatherley Manor Hotel where they enjoyed a sumptuous lunch followed by a prize-giving.
Attendees included those people who go above and beyond the call of duty to make the county tick, from charity volunteers to carers, dedicated public servants and those who have overcome adversity.
Each finalist had a remarkable story to tell – and there were tears in the audience as people were shown videos summarising their achievements.
Braveheart Hero – Tillie Carter, St Peter's, Cheltenham
Caring Hero Over 18 – Dianne Abbey, Brockworth
Environmental Hero Under 18 – Lauren Kent, Gloucester
Volunteer Hero Over 18 – Steve Edgell, Newent
Community Project – The Game Plan
Public Sector Hero Non Uniformed – Andy Knowles, Stroud
Environmental Hero Over 18 – David Stevenson, Cleeve
Hero in the Community – Gill Rouse, Cheltenham
Caring Hero Under 18 – Hannah Berry
Volunteer Hero Under 18 – Jade Ellis, Eastington
Public Sector Hero – Kelly Weir, Cheltenham
The overall Heart of Gloucestershire Award went to Rob Camm.
Dursley rugby player Rob was left paralysed from the neck down and unable to speak when he was injured in a car crash in September last year.
The 20-year-old had been due to go to university just weeks after the incident. However, he has not let his injuries stop him. He has used a blink board to rewrite his university personal statement to reapply to go to Bristol in September.
Not only that, but he has also helped others at the spinal unit and been part of a charity video which raised £42,000.
His mum Gillian Cam, who accepted the award on his behalf, said: "It has been such a hard year. When Rob had his accident we did not know it he was going to live or not.
"He has come so far since then, and now he can look forward to his future.
"I am delighted to accept this award on his behalf."
Braveheart Hero went to little Tillie Carter, a five-year-old from St Peter's in Cheltenham.
She has been battling a rare tumour of the pituitary gland in the brain.
Over Christmas she went to the University of Florida to undergo a special course of radiotherapy, spending five days a week having treatment for six weeks.
Although her future is still unclear, Tillie has amazed those who are close to her with her positive attitude and fighting spirit.
Her parents Sophie Carter and Charlie Grosvenor were on hand to receive the award with Tillie.
Sophie said: "She has been amazing and her positive attitude has kept us all going."
Her nanny Jane Carter added: "I'm so proud of her. She is my little winner."
The award for Hero in the Community went to Dr Gill Rouse, who founded the Leukaemia Intensive Chemotherapy Fund in Cheltenham in 1998.
Since then she has worked tirelessly to improve facilities at the charity, which provides support to patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Described by colleagues as an "inspiration", she has driven Linc forward despite her own health problems.
"I am very humbled to win this award," she said. "I accept it on behalf of my colleagues too, who do a wonderful job.
"Sixteen years ago I would not have imagined we would be where we are now. I'm very proud of how far we have come."
The Community Project award went to Game Plan, which is dedicated to bringing sport to deprived communities in the county.
Emma Harris, a spokeswoman for the project, said: "Some of the kids who come to us don't have a lot going for them.
"It's brilliant to see the impact we can have through giving them access to sport."
The award for Caring Hero Under 18 went to Hannah Berry.
The 16-year-old, a member of the Young Carers Forum, supports her mother, who suffers from depression and anxiety, as well as maintaining her school work and friendships.
As her name was read out she shared an emotional hug with her mum Jayne.
"I'm shocked," she said. "It's nice to be recognised but more importantly it's good to raise awareness of young carers, because there are a lot more of them out there than people realise."
The award for Caring Hero Over 18 went to Dianne Abbey, who has been nominated for her outstanding work as a foster carer.
Although she is registered blind and has had to overcome breast cancer and leg injuries, Dianne has fostered around 200 children over the years, changing the lives of countless youngsters for the better.
She said: "It's marvellous. I was so pleased to win.
Her foster son Jason Abbey, who nominated her for the award, said: "Nobody deserves this more than her. She will probably celebrate by going home and cooking dinner for everyone else, that's just the sort of person she is."
Jade Ellis, 15, won the Volunteer Hero Under 18 Award for her work at St Roses School in Stroud, helping disabled children – her sister Chloe whooping in delight as her name was read out.
Jade said: "I'm speechless to win this award. Being up against all those amazing finalists who have done all those fantastic things, I never expected to win.
"I love my volunteering work, it's something I definitely want to continue."
Steve Edgell scooped the Volunteer Hero Over 18 award for his volunteering work with child bereavement charity Winston's Wish over the last 22 years.
He takes an active role in organising fundraising events and helps on residential weekends organised for bereaved children and their parents.
He said: "I am totally humbled.
"Getting involved with Winston's Wish was the best move I ever made. We deal with some kids who have been through difficult circumstances and being able to help them is a privilege."
The Uniformed Public Sector Hero went to nurse Kelly Weir, a cancer specialist nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who deals with patients who have the most aggressive form of the disease in the stomach, pancreas and oesophagus.
Her calm approach and expert care have won glowing reports from patients, many of who come into contact with her at a particularly difficult time in their lives.
She said: "It is an amazing feeling to win the award. I'm still shaking!
"I love my work and have met some amazing people through it. There is no other job I have ever wanted to do."
Fantastic physiotherapist Andy Knowles, who specialises in treating patients for physical health problems while they are affected by mental health issues, won the Public Sector Hero Non Uniform Award.
He said: "I didn't expect this at all. There are so many people who work incredibly hard and are worthy of recognition. It feels quite surreal."
David Stevenson, a senior ranger at Cleeve Common, scooped the Environmental Hero Over 18 Award for going above and beyond to look after the common in all winds and weathers.
"I'm delighted to win the award," he said. "The common is a wonderful place whatever the weather and I love my job. I hope to carry on doing it as long as I am needed."
Lauren Kent won the Environmental Hero Under 18 Award for her work with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, for whom she played a big part in the All Paths Lead to the Hill project at Robinswood Hill Country Park, getting youngsters involved in nature walks.
Accepting the award on her behalf Donna Cavill said: "She will be absolutely thrilled. She is passionate about getting people involved in wildlife so I'm sure this will spur her on."
Former TV presenter Valerie Singleton was on hand to act as compere for the event.
She said: "I am always amazed at people who go off to help in parts of the world hit by appalling disasters.
"We can't all go that far but we can make a difference in our communities by doing whatever we can, however big or small, to make a difference to the lives of those around us.
"That's what we are here for today. Everyone here has done amazing things to help in their communities."
![Heart of Gloucestershire 2014 heroes honoured at awards ceremony - VIDEO]( "Heart of Gloucestershire 2014 heroes honoured at awards ceremony - VIDEO")
