Manchester heroes awarded after record nominations

Inspirational characters from across Manchester have been rewarded in a glitzy awards ceremony, after organisers received an unprecedented number of nominations.

The real life heroes, who have helped improve life for their neighbours, were honoured at Manchester City Council's Be Proud Awards 2010.

BBC North West Tonight's Gordon Burns, along with Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Mark Hackett, presented the special ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on Friday December 10.

The City Council has been running the awards for seven years, but this year received more nominations than ever before.

The West Gorton Youth Group won this year's Young Citizen of the Year (Group) award for their work taking part in clean-ups, litter picks and getting involved in a Respect Action Day with the City Council and Greater Manchester Police.

They also designed a leaflet to stop people fly-tipping, and spent five weeks refurbishing a community centre in their area.

Daniel Boardman and Jordan Warhurst won the Young Citizen of the Year (individual) award after they spent weekends and school holidays clearing rubbish from Harpurhey Ponds. Now at college, the pair are still committed to transforming the once-barren green space.

Maria Stripling won the Contribution to the Community (individual) award after setting up the Open Gardens event in Didsbury, in which residents are encouraged to open their gardens to the public for a day.

Open Gardens has now raised more than £20,000 for local causes, while Maria has also set up the Didsbury Arts Festival, which attracted around 5,000 visitors to the area this year.

This year's Contribution to the Community award went to the Wythenshawe-based Shawe thing, who meet regularly to organise projects which will benefit their neighbourhood.

They also volunteer at local events, took part in this summer's Manchester Day parade and hosted an afternoon session to build bridges between young and old people in the community.

Judges were so impressed with the group that they were also given the overall Pride Of Manchester award.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: "There are hundreds of individuals, groups and businesses all over the city who are working hard, day in and day out, to make life better for people around them.

"We received more nominations than ever this year, proving that - like us - Manchester residents are proud of these people. Our category finalists represent the very best from across the city and the community heroes received the recognition they truly deserve during this ceremony."