HALF a dozen of Bradford's unsung female heroes have had their talents recognised in the city's Inspirational Women Awards which took place on Saturday night.

The event is organised annual by the Inspirational Women Foundation, with the aim of inspiring the emerging generation to achieve great results.

Broadcasters Sunny and Shay Grewal presented the awards and the guest list at the ceremony included athlete and paralympic head coach Paula Dunn, shadow Equalities Minster in the House of Lords, Baroness Glenys Thornton and former leader of the Respect party, Salma Yaqoob.

The Businesswoman and Woman of the Year Award went to Beverley Barton, for her work with community based projects and work as a governor at Westminster Primary School. She also leads the Sunday school at St Clement's Church, Barkerend Road. Professionally, she is also a teacher for the Dyslexia Action charity and through that runs a Literacy Catch Up Club at St Augustine's library.

The resulted in her setting up Concierge Estates, which assists in finding housing for those arriving in the city from eastern Europe and helping them develop a new lifestyle.

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The shortlist was chosen to reflect Bradford's diverse communities, with the Employee Award going to Lynne Cunningham, of the YMCA, where she works as a development project manager with the eight to 13 age group.

She helped develop the Stepping Stones Provision, a bought in service used by schools to support and help young people who may need help with self-esteem and behaviour issues. She has also been involved in marking the centenary of WW1 and represented the City of Bradford YMCA in the Remembrance Parade in London.

Yasmin Khan, director of the Staying Put organisation, took the Public/Voluntary Sector Award for her role as an activist, lobbying and campaigning for equality and working to ensure the disadvantaged have fair access to life's opportunities. Since joining Staying Put, which works with victims of domestic violence, she has secured new funding to make the organisation more robust.

Former Yorkshire and England rugby player Saima Hussain took the Sports Award in recognition of her groundbreaking role as the first Muslim female to play Rugby League for Yorkshire. The 35-year-old was introduced to the sport at the age of nine and started playing for her local club in Keighley before going on to a successful career. She is now a sports development officer encouraging more women, including Asians, to become involved in the sport.

Liva Alberta, of Concierge Estates, who made Bradford her home in 2004, won Business Woman of the Year. Despite having little spoken English she found work with Bradford Council's social services department helping to find housing for those from East European communities.

Sally Layas, assistant head teacher at Holy Family Catholic School, took the Teacher Award for her work in bringing together the community and students.

During the Peshawar attacks, she created ‘hugs on offer’ at the school for anyone who needed a hug or support.

The Special Founders Award was presented to the nurses and admin team on ward 27 and endocrinology and diabetes unit at Bradford Teaching Hospitals for the work they do.

Mum of the Year, which was decided by a public vote, went to Teresa Maria Gornall, who was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus eight years ago.

She suffered a bi-lateral stroke following an operation, and was told by doctors she would never walk again.

A year later, she was diagnosed with womb cancer. She underwent physio sessions and tried yoga to improve her chances of walking, and managed to walk the Race for Life event.

In the Youth Award, due to one of the finalists, Ashleigh Mae Bowers, being in hospital, all three finalists, which also included Amy Barker and Melissa Steele, were crowned as winners.