Community spirit and selfless acts were commended last night as 11 new Ely heroes were crowned.
The Maltings on the city's riverside was full throughout the evening with people who were excited to see who would win the saught-after Ely Hero Awards.
The glitzy ceremony, which returned for its sixth year, saw a red carpet rolled out for all in attendance.
After a high-octane opening performance from Cambridgeshire-based 4D Dance, finalists, friends and families were narrated through the evening by a former BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter in Sue Marchant, who provided plenty of laughs.
Mrs Sue Freestone, Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, was also in attendance.
The winners on the night were:
- Smiliest Server: Andrew Olley (City Cycle Centre)
- Colleague of the Year: Caroline Wren (Littleport Community Primary School)
- Caring Companion: Teresa Sellars
- Most Amazing Professional: Daniel Lawrence (Daniel Lawrence Plumbing and Heating)
- Neighbour of the Year: Team Diamond
- The Mike Rouse Community Champion Award: Brian Calvert
- Best Teacher Award: Natalie Lewis (Isle of Ely Primary School)
- Child of Achievement: Caitlin Child
- Jay Davidson Award: Teddy Woodhouse
- Sporting Hero: Fiona Dyer and Emma Thomas
- The Ely Hero Award: Wayne Bent
This year's judges were:
- Gill Prangnell, former judge of the Ely Standard Business Awards
- Jo Evans, Millrose
- Lis Every, councillor and ex-mayor
- Mark Cornell, farm manager at Snakehall Farm
- Ruth Buckley, Truth HR Solutions
- Shelley Davies, Shelley’s Shop & Sandwich Bar
- Chris Parsons, artistic director of Ely Arts Festival
- Steve Smith, Co-op store manager
- Ruth Marley, Re-Imagine Resource Centre CIC
- Justin Smith, Ely Runners
Guests were welcomed with a glass of chilled prosecco sponsored by Ely Construction before they enjoyed a selection of canapes at the table sponsored by Grovemere Property Limited.
The table wine was sponsored by Red Shoes Accounting Services, a goodie bag for each guest was curated by Re-Imagine Resource Centre, and chocolates were supplied by Harry Specters.
"All finalists should feel very proud to be here tonight, and no matter the outcome this evening, know that you are very much an Ely Hero," said the Ely Hero Awards team.
"This event is of course not possible without the financial support of local businesses, many of whom have supported the event since its conception back in 2017.
"We really value this support and a massive THANK YOU goes out to them because we could not put on a special evening without them.
"Best wishes to all the finalists - keep on shining and connecting our beautiful community."
- Naomi Sherwood (Xpert Resourcing) for organising the event each year and leading the Ely Heroes team.
- Luke Smith (Studio Nova) for producing the eye-catching branding, website and promotional materials, as well as unwavering organisational support.
- James Fordham (Fordham Finance Group) for providing accounting assistance.
- Leonie Smith for the many tweets and re-tweets from Ely Island Pie and for help in setting up the venue to make it beautiful for guests.
- The judges for all their time and hard work finalising all the nominations and choosing their winners.
- Poets House for providing hospitality at the launch party and hosting judges' meetings.
- Blueshed for making The Maltings look fabulous on the night.
- All the sponsors: Xpert Resourcing, Poets House, G's Barway, Demcom, Lovewell Blake, Price Bailey LLP, Life Fitness, Thorlabs, Crown Garage Honda, Masters.
- The individuals who nominated their heroes
- The finalists who have made the Ely Hero Awards a huge success once again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here