There were smiles, celebrations and more than a few tears during the Evening Gazette's Community Champions Awards evening at the weekend. More than 270 people gathered at the Swallow Hotel in Stockton on Friday night to salute the men and women who selflessly give their time to others, dedicate their lives to worthy causes or remain positive in the face of adversity. Compered by Century FM radio star Paul 'Goffy' Gough, the Gazette's third annual glittering Community Champions ceremony saw 36 nominees honoured for their outstanding achievements. Of those honoured 12 were selected to receive the prestigious Community Champion titles. Marie Turbill reports on Teesside's unsung heroes. 
Community Champion 2003:
Brian Lewis Brian knows only too well the emotions that accompany being diagnosed with and then battling bowel cancer. He was diagnosed himself in 1995. For a while it appeared he had beaten the cancer but three months ago he was told it had returned. It is inoperable but doctors hope chemotherapy can contain it. Still Brian, 64, of Redcar, shows no signs of feeling sorry for himself. He is chairman of The Bowel Cancer Support Group and as such is always willing to lend a sympathetic ear to others. Brian says: "It is a pleasure to know that you have been able to help, that is my reward." Highly commended: Les Fawcett, Marian Wheeler 
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Peter Howe Meet family man Peter and his optimism and strength of spirit can not fail to amaze. He loves life and works tirelessly to help others. He has raised a staggering £1m for various charities. The dad-of-two and grandfather-of-four, has taken part in charity events all over the world. Cancer organisations are among those closest to his heart as his father died of cancer and his brother-in-law of Hodgkin's Disease, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1986 and his wife with breast cancer in 1988. Now granddaughter Laura, 16, is facing an ongoing battle with leukaemia. Peter continues to fundraise doing sponsored cycle rides, after-dinner speeches and even repairs old bicycles to send to doctors, nurses and children in Romania and Poland. Highly commended: Tony Maxwell, Dorothy Rose 
Champion for the Disabled:
Paddy Cronesberry Paddy is chairman of the Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters' Association (MDSA). He helps arrange transport for football supporters who suffer from disabling conditions. He knows first hand the difficulties they face. He himself has congenital deformity, born without legs and just one full arm. Nothing gets in his way when it comes to the beautiful game. "It is all down to the old adage - if there's a will there's a way," he says. Highly commended: Sue Frater, Tony Hui 
Champion for Community Sport:
Janet Shaw Mum-of-two Janet is a volunteer at Hartlepool Sportability Club. She helps adults with disabilities to bounce into fitness on the trampoline. It is a hobby she didn't take up herself until she was a mother. During a trip to the local mother and toddler group she was invited to try the sport. Janet of Hartlepool went on to do an award that enabled her to teach those with disabilities. Highly commended: Gary Jowers, Middlesbrough Football Club Community Project Champion Child of Courage:
Jasmin Amelia Adam, Mohin Shadam, Ryan Preston 
Judges of the Champion Child of Courage title decided all three finalists deserved the title. Jasmin, six, of Billingham, suffers from pulmonary hypertension - a severely debilitating heart and lung condition which means she can not walk far, and if she goes to a party she must sit and rest while others play. Every night she must spend 12 hours attached to an oxygen machine and one day she will probably require a heart and lung transplant. Yet her first thought is always for others. Ryan, six, of Hartlepool, suffers periodic fever syndrome. This is an intestinal disorder which affects only four people in the UK. When the condition strikes his life must be put on hold as he can do nothing but lie in pain. He faces his condition with bravery. Mohin, ten, of Acklam, has undergone 35 operations in his short life - 19 of those were in the last year. He suffers a whole range of life-threatening conditions linked to a condition he was born with labelled VATER. Through it all he keeps smiling. 
Champion for Youth:
Katrina Kirk Katrina, 15, of Easterside is a qualified assistant coach. She helps train children from the age of three to 14 in gymnastics. The Newlands School pupil took up the sport when she was just three and spends all her spare time at Gym World, Prissick Base, Middlesbrough. She already has an important accolade to her name after being chosen to run with the Queen's Jubilee baton last year. Katrina was nominated by her sister, 14-year-old Chantelle. Highly commended: David Wood, Terry Pickering 
Champion for the Environment
& Lifestyle: Marian Wheeler Marian believes it is vital that former mining village Margrove Park maintains its beauty. In order to do this she has helped raise funds to put a fence around the green, revamp the kids' play area and put flowers and shrubs in hanging baskets. All of the work has been done through the work of the village hall committee, which was put together in 1999, again with the help of Marian and friends. Highly commended: Christine Baker, Doreen Myers 
Champion Community Business:
Charlie's Minimarket Abdul Majid, owner of Charlie's Minimarket in Thorntree, Middlesbrough, considers many of his customers as friends and family. Abdul, known as Charlie, has been running the store for almost 25 years and in that time has served three generations of the same families. Everyone is given a hearty welcome to the shop, making customers return again and again. Charlie, 66, was nominated for the award by a pair of his regular customers. Highly commended: Jayne Pederson, Duncan Bannatyne 
Champion Neighbour:
Olwyn McPhillips Landlady Olwyn dedicates hours of her time and effort to help raise funds to send cancer sufferers to America for pioneering treatment. The first was friend and neighbour Maureen Carey who suffers lung cancer. Doctors here in the UK had told Maureen there was nothing more they could do to stop the cancer. Olwyn who runs the nearby Captain Cook pub at St Hilda's Middlesbrough read about the revolutionary treatment. With the help of pub regulars and the surrounding community she raised £30,000 to send Maureen for treatment. Since then she has continued to raise cash to help others. Highly commended: Dennis Johnson, Gillian Mansell 
Community Champion Group:
Edward Guy Foundation Every week the Edward Guy Foundation must raise £1,000 for the Edward Guy Day Centre at Teesside Hospice. Founder member Glenis Guy (pictured) says it is a big ask but they manage it with the outstanding support they receive from the public. Glenis of Normanby was inspired into starting up the charity after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She wanted to help others in a similar situation and she says the charity was her husband's idea before he died. Highly commended: Liverton Village Hall Management Committee, Middlesbrough Gateway Club 
Champion Teacher:
Tricia Carroll Tricia aims to make a real difference to pupils' lives. As the Billingham School's co-ordinator for Mentoring under the Excellence in Cities scheme and maths teacher at St Michael's RC School she is doing just that. She also helps organise the student council, has nominated several pupils for the Diana award and put the school's presentation evening together. The 47-year-old from Stockton is highly thought of by pupils and colleagues alike. Highly commended: Ian Bean, Joan Harrison 
Champion for the elderly:
Elsie Hewitt Elsie fundraises, arranges parties and days out for the Park Court Pensioners' centre. She also works with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and has been a representative at the National Pensioner's Convention Blackpool conference for many years. All of this while being 83 herself. She doesn't notice her age for the grandmother-of-six from Dormanstown, Redcar, says: "I really do enjoy it. To me it is keeping the community together and that is what I think is very important for pensioners." Highly commended: Seymour and Olive Halkett, Verona Dobson Winners of our Community Champions Awards received a cash prize and a trophy. | 
