YORKSHIRE AWARDS 2009 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Published: 16/10/2009

Yorkshire greats from the field of showbiz, sport, the arts and business are honoured in a star-studded Yorkshire Awards presentation ceremony, held at Hilton Leeds City tonight (16/10/09).

The Awards, organised and run by The Yorkshire Awards Committee are now in their 21st anniversary year and involve some of the region’s leading companies and organisations. With the help of the Yorkshire public, the Committee named those outstanding individuals whose examples act as inspiration to anyone with the interests of Yorkshire at heart.

The 2009 Yorkshire Awards winners are:

Yorkshire Community Hero Award
Winner: Val Lepadat
Presenter: Ian James, general manager, Hilton Leeds City
Award Sponsor: Hilton Leeds City

This award recognises those from the local community who has made a significant contribution in helping to improve life for others. In 1998 Val Lepadat from Doncaster was diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent treatment including a mastectomy and chemo - but she felt something was lacking from the support network at her NHS hospital. Val became the co-founder of the Aurora Centre at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, caring for local cancer patients in a none medical manner.

The Aurora itself is a magnificent achievement - but since that time Val has been re-diagnosed three times, undergoing a second mastectomy, with all the treatment involved. This was followed two years later by growths in her lung and chest wall. Over the past two years Val has undergone chemotherapy three times, but still remains happy, cheerful and positive and an inspiration to others in the community with cancer.

Yorkshire Business Enterprise Award.
Winner: Mamas & Papas
Presented to: Amanda and David Spacchetti, Mamas & Papas
Presenter: Richard Taylor, Branch Director, Aon Limited
Award Sponsor: Aon Limited

Our business award is always one of the hardest to decide on, such is the quality of so many businesses in this county. But it is fair to say that this 100% family-owned Huddersfield company has had remarkable success in the retail arena, within a relatively short period of time.

Established in 1981, Mamas & Papas is the only nursery company in the UK that designs, develops, creates and retails its own products. Opening its first store in 1989, it now has 37 within the UK and 15 franchise retail outlets in United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, with a further 10 planned within the Middle East and two stores to open in Russia shortly.

It also supplies over 200 independent retailer and national retailers including Argos, Next, John Lewis Partnership and Saks 5th Avenue.

With over 1300 employees and a turnover of over £130million in 07/08, Mamas & Papas cites its passion, Italian heritage and sense of style, as well as continued commitment to product innovation as some of the attributes that sets it apart from the competition.

Yorkshire Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Balbir Panesar
Presenter: Keith Madeley, chairman of The Yorkshire Society
Sponsor: The Yorkshire Society

Balbir Panesar is founder and Managing Director of PEC Building Services and the first Asian president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Having left school at 16, to study electrical installation he then went on to establish a £7million turnover contracting company employing over 100 staff. In July 2007 he became Bradford Chamber of Commerce’s first Asian President. Over the years he has always committed himself to Bradford and its people and has worked hard to encourage economic and skills development, really putting Bradford on the map. Balbir has become a role model for budding entrepreneurs in the City and through his support of various charities and community activities became the obvious choice for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Yorkshire Arts and Entertainment Personality Award
Winner: Simon Beaufoy
Presenter: Tim Smith, editor – TV News, BBC
Sponsor: BBC

Keighley-born Simon Beaufoy is the screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire, one of recession-hit Britain’s more successful exports. Most of last year and part of 2009 has been spent travelling the world publicising the film which has earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Writers Guild of America award and a BAFTA, along the way. Having also penned the highly successful The Full Monty, it was appropriate that he should return to his native Yorkshire to pick up this year’s Arts and Entertainment Award.

Yorkshire Sporting Achievement Award
Winner: Jessica Ennis
Presenter: Sir Rodney Walker, chairman, Yorkshire Awards Committee Award Sponsor: The Myerscough Charitable Trust

Since 2000, Jessica’s progression through the junior and youth competitions has shown that she is a promising talent for the future. At only 23 years old, Jessica has established herself as a multi-eventer and, as we all know, cemented herself in the history books as a World Champion, winning Gold in the heptathlon at this year’s World Championships in Berlin. A rising start of British athletics, Jessica is Sheffield born and bred and the perfect choice for this year’s Yorkshire Sporting Achievement Award.

Yorkshire Awards Woman of the Year
Winner: Kimberley Walsh
Presenter: Kevin Newson, senior partner, Yorkshire Bank
Award Sponsor: Yorkshire Bank

Bradford-born Kimberley’s career with girl group Girls Aloud has already earned her a string of 20 consecutive UK Top 10 singles, two UK number one albums, and a BRIT Award. This year one of Kimberley’s main focuses has been raising awareness for breast cancer as an ambassador for the Breast Cancer Haven charity – a therapy centre that cared for her close friend and childhood dance teacher, Deana Morgan. Earlier this month she pounded the pavements of Leeds in 6in stilettos, taking part in the High Heel-a-thon to raise money for the charity. Kimberley cites Deana as a huge inspiration and mentor throughout her life and being able to support her and the charity now means a lot.

Yorkshire Awards Man of the Year
Winner: Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Presenter: Paul Theakston, managing director, Black Sheep Brewery
Award Sponsor: Black Sheep Brewery

The story of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson from Doncaster is truly remarkable and inspiring.

Ben was very seriously wounded by a landmine in September 2006 whilst serving with his unit, 7 Para RHA in Afghanistan. Ben’s injuries have been described as the worst injuries received by a UK soldier.

He suffered a total of 37 injuries including the loss of both legs, multiple fractures to his left arm, brain and spinal damage. He was told he may never walk again even with the use of prosthetic legs.

Ben is making a remarkable recovery and is already learning to walk. He recently astounded doctors by talking again and he is now determined to help change the lives of other wounded soldiers.

Richard Whiteley Special Award
Winner: Diane Dernie
Presenter: Gary Verity, chief executive, Welcome to Yorkshire
Award Sponsor: Yorkshire Awards Committee

News that the government would bow to the outcry over its ‘insulting’ compensation plans for a young paratrooper horrifically injured in Afghanistan came as satisfying news to Diane Dernie, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson’s mother. The Ministry of Defence has signalled for the first time that it will review Ben’s case, whose injuries have left him disabled for life. The changes will lead to higher compensation for Ben and other similarly injured soldiers.

Diane’s campaigning for the rights of her son and others like him was instrumental in helping to change the Government’s thinking. This award acknowledges her remarkable commitment in the face of unbelievable adversity.

Highlights of The Yorkshire Awards will be shown on Look North tomorrow and every evening next week at 6.30 on BBC1.