Stars shine as Telegraph & Argus awards ceremony honours community heroes

The city’s unsung heroes got their well-deserved moment in the spotlight at the Telegraph & Argus Community Stars Awards.

Seven super winners were announced at City Hall and presented with a Bradford medal by the city’s Lord Mayor Councillor Khadim Hussain.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement award was Brenda Satterley who, for 40 years, has given part of her home over to cats in need of loving homes. She received more than 500 votes to land the award, and said: “I was not expecting this. Thank you very much to everyone who voted for me.”

Yakoob Ali won the Community Champion award. He recovered from a heart attack and bypass operation to become a walks leader and was also a volunteer co-ordinator for Project Beat and the Dard e Dil 999 DVD.

Yakoob said: “ I was not the only one behind these projects, there were a lot of other people as well.”

He also paid tribute to the cardiac rehab team that supported him back to health, adding: “They are the real people behind this award for me.”

James Brown triumphed in the Good Neighbour category. He founded People First Keighley & Craven.

James said: “It is a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you to the people who nominated me for this award.”

The winner of the Volunteer award was Jeannette Wheeler, who was described as someone who always ‘goes the extra mile’. She runs a Riding For The Disabled Group.

“This award is not really just for me,” said Jeannette. “It is for everyone who helps in our group. Some people cannot spare as much time as I can, but they still play as vital a role as I do.”

The six members, aged ten to 16, of St Francis Youth SVP collected the Young Active Citizen award.

Joel Friis, 15, thanked all the people who help with the running of the group, and added: “Thank you to everyone who voted for us – it is a real honour to have won.”

Osman Gondal won the Fundraiser category. He is CEO and founder of InTouch Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which tackles the plight of homeless people. Osman said: “I am accepting the award, but it is really on behalf of all the volunteers who make InTouch such a success.”

The Giant Chilli Project won the award for Community Group. Founder Zulfi Karim praised fellow nominees Bumble Bees and Night Stop. He said: “They do a fantastic job.” He added: “To be nominated is great. To win is completely unexpected.”

Coun Khadim Hussain, who handed out the medals, said: “These awards encapsulate the citizens of Bradford – it is the recognition of unsung heroes.”

THE WINNERS

Volunteer: JEANNETTE WHEELER

Jeannette not only runs a successful riding school, she also takes the time and effort to run a Pony Club Centre and Riding For The Disabled Group.

The RDA group was started by her and her mother some 20 years ago and now enables 50 people of mixed ages and abilities to have a go at horse riding every week.

She puts tremendous effort into finding and training suitable horses and into planning interesting and appropriate lessons. She does the RDA work as a volunteer and finds volunteers to help her from her riding school clients.

Her nomination read: “Jeannette always ‘goes the extra mile’. She never says she can’t be bothered.

“She encourages and cajoles nervous children – even if it takes hours just to get them to touch the pony.

“She is a wonderful teacher. She always explains why things must be done rather than just issuing orders. She goes out of her way to make sure both the RDA riders and the pony club children get the absolute most from their riding experience.

“Despite having recently undergone major surgery and being in the midst of a course of chemotherapy, Jeannette has taken the time and trouble this summer to organise extra afternoons for the Riding For The Disabled Group.”

Community Group: GIANT CHILLI PROJECT

The Giant Chilli Project has organised successful Faith In Food events by working hand in hand with Bradford Synagogue, Westgate Mosque and St Paul’s Church.

This came about because of the initiative Giant Chilli undertook to support Bradford Synagogue in raising funds for repairs to their building.

The resultant fundraising and support from communities brought about a spirit of co-operation, cohesion, brotherhood and harmony, which led to them organising inter-faith and inter-community dialogue and understanding, and new friendships being born.

There have also been community meals for Sabbath and Iftar (fasting).

Its nomination read: “The Giant Chilli Project is led by Zulfi Karim. He has put together a very able local partnership of businesses, community volunteers and faith leaders who bring with them infectious energy, optimism and energy.

“The group includes Rudi Leavor, the Reverend Alistair Helm, Yasin Mohammed (Drummond Mills), Saira Ali and many community volunteers. It has been supported by senior officers from the key agencies, including the police and Bradford Council.

Community Champion: YAKOOB ALI

After having heart problems, Yakoob became a walk leader and led many walks for heart patients.

Yakoob was volunteer co-ordinator for two projects and actively involved in award-winning projects Project Beat, which won the West Yorkshire Modernisation award, and Dard e Dil 999 (chest pain) DVD, which was a finalist in the Health Service Journal awards. Yakoob’s role included recruiting and supporting groups of former heart patients for the projects.

Yakoob attended the Expert Patient Program, and subsequently completed the tutor course and delivers the course around the country.

His nomination read: “Yakoob has worked hard and opened doors for many other community members to work in partnership with stakeholders, such as the NHS, the Council and faith organisations. Yakoob is an excellent communicator and with his personality, the rest of the volunteers gelled and worked really hard.

“Yakoob led the volunteers by example. He is a great believer of ‘if you are nice to people, they will be nice to you’.

Yakoob encouraged the rest of the volunteers to participate and share their experience on the award-winning DVD. Now 1,000 copies of the DVD have been made, it was an NHS Bradford and Airedale Inspiration Award winner, the DVD was distributed nationwide.

Good Neighbour: JAMES BROWN

James is the founder of People First Keighley & Craven. He identified a need for adults with learning disabilities to be able to choose the social activities that they would like to do and spend time with friends.

The organisation is now a registered charity with a membership of more than 200 people who meet regularly and work to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities through inclusion and raising awareness of their needs locally and nationally.

His nomination said: “James is an excellent ambassador for young people with learning disabilities who are looking for someone to act as a role model and mentor to follow.

“His commitment to paid work and voluntary work proves he leads by example, while supporting individuals to learn the unwritten social rules that society expects everyone to adhere to.”

Fundraiser: OSMAN GONDAL

Osman Gondal is the CEO and founder of InTouch Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which is a community-based effort to address the plight of homeless men and women on the streets of Bradford and Keighley.

Its dual purpose is to bring attention to this plight and provide an organisation where volunteers can become directly involved in the preparation and feeding of the less fortunate who exist on the edge of society.

In seven months he has served more than 4,000 meals to those in need in both Bradford and Keighley. He is in the process of offering this service in more locations around the UK and setting up a foodbank for Bradford.

His nomination read: “Osman has a clear passion for working to make the world a better place. He has excellent communication skills and people skills and this is clearly evident in the way he has gained the support of nearly 100 volunteers of all background and races over the past six months.

“Osman has worked to help those less fortunate by not just feeding the homeless, but becoming a friend for them during their difficult phase of living below the poverty line.”

Young Active Citizen: ST FRANCIS YOUTH SVP

For the past two years its six members, aged ten to 16, have helped the homeless and poor of Bradford.

Every week they collect clothes, furniture and food, some of which is bought from the funds they have raised. They have worked at both the Padre Pio Friary and St Mary’s soup kitchens serving food.

They held a bring-a-tin day at their schools to collect food and held cakes sales to raise funds. In addition, they bought Easter eggs for all the 150 registered young carers in Bradford in both 2012 and 2013.

Their nomination read: “What makes them special? They are genuinely caring individuals who want to make a difference. They are all volunteers and under no pressure to join or work. They meet every month to decide which good cause they are going to work for in the following month. They are amazing.”

Special award in recognition of long service to volunteering and fundraising: BRENDA SATTERLEY

Her nomination read: “For 40 years, Brenda has given part of her home over to cats who are in need of loving homes after abandonment, owner-surrenders and stray living.

“She runs a non-profit shelter, which exists entirely from fundraising and donations. Brenda rescued her first cat at the age of seven and has since gone on to rescue thousands.

“Brenda has given her life to help the local community by easing the pain for people who have had to give their pets up through no fault of their own.”

Brenda has featured in the pages of the Telegraph & Argus many times – and it isn’t always good news. Earlier this year Bradford Cat Rescue, which Brenda runs, feared it faced closure after thieves stole cheques sent in by readers to help the charity. The money was earmarked to pay a £5,000 vets’ bill.