2019 Winners
Raising Money for Bethany's Smile
Raising £300,000 to build Smile Cottage where families can go and spend quality time together when they are faced with the news of a short life expectancy/terminal illness. Smile Cottage is in addition to Bethany's Smile supporting families with other things such as laptops, wheelchairs, desks, and chairs for bedrooms so school work can continue at home, roof boxes to allow easier travel when lots of equipment is required on holidays and also special travel insurance. Bethany's Smile is one of the very few charities where every penny goes to the cause due to having no staff and no overheads. Find out more at www.bethanyssmile.org
Congratulations
Congratulations to everyone nominated in 2019, you should all be extremely proud of yourselves.
Mark the Occasion with our Bespoke Certificates
Whether you have been nominated, recognised as a finalist, or emerged as one of Yorkshire's winners in our 2019 celebrations, our digital certificates are customised to showcase your individual achievements, serving as a timeless testament to your success. Click here to order.
And the winners are...
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
LMB Group, Independent Business of the Year 2019
LMB Group, Independent Business of the Year 2019
LMB Group
LMB Mechanical Services Ltd was established in 2007, they were originally based in a small office in Batley, with 3 office staff and 8 mechanical engineers. Due to rapid expansion, they moved to larger premises and now have a team of 55 mechanical and electrical engineers working on various projects throughout the UK. LMB Group has grown from strength to strength over an 11-year period to our current turnover of £11,000,000. They are one of the leading employers in the Cleckheaton area. Their main focus is ensuring they give clients dedication, satisfaction, and professionalism from start through to completion on all the projects they undertake.
Finalists
Cards or Die
Crafty Kids
Yarn Etc
Sponsored by
NEW STARTER BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
Loafers Vinyl & Coffee Shop, New Starter Business of the Year 2019
Loafers Vinyl & Coffee Shop, New Starter Business of the Year 2019
Loafers Vinyl & Coffee Shop
Loafers are a vinyl record shop, located on the Rustic Level of the unique Piece Hall in Halifax selling new and used vinyl records, iconic music art work and serve incredibly good tea, coffee and other refreshments. They want to create a haven for all music lovers to visit, browse the vinyl, find a hidden gem, talk about music from across the generations and relax to the sound of a vinyl record. The owner Mark and his partner are both amicable and nice people and will give recommendations of what coffee to try or if you are looking for something new to add to your collection. Loafers have demonstrated a huge passion for music and the creative arts, the local economy and the ongoing cultural revival of Halifax.​
Finalists
Cheertots
Leap Into Languages
Wool Couture Company
Sponsored by
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BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2019
Nicky Chance-Thompson, Business Man of The Year 2019
Nicky Chance-Thompson, Business Man of The Year 2019
Nicky Chance-Thompson
Nicky has demonstrated a massive commitment and passion for the Piece Hall, in Halifax and to Calderdale generally, through her role is namely as CEO of The Piece Hall. Nicky is immensely proud of what her team has achieved since re-opening the huge gates of this iconic building, aptly on Yorkshire Day, back in August 2017. It’s been an incredible journey, one of the immense challenges but also with some great highlights. To restore a historic building of this scale and importance was a huge achievement for all involved including a Royal Visit from Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and having the chance to meet them and show them what The Piece Hall Trust has achieved with this beautiful building.
Finalists
Lindsey McEnroe
Samatha Rogerson
Sarah Moore
Sponsored by
BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR 2019
Alan Suttle, Suttle Transport, Business Man of the Year 2019
Alan Suttle, Suttle Transport, Business Man of the Year 2019
Alan Suttle, Suttle Transport
Alan Suttle is 40-year-old Director of Suttle Transport Services. After starting his career as an Apprentice Mechanic in Wetherby, he took his HGV tests and worked for various transport companies but was sadly made redundant. This only spurred him on to set up his business as a one-man driver hiring himself out to various agencies. The work continued to progress, and Alan was able to take on other drivers. He now has a fleet of 20 plus trucks and vans handling contracts with the UK and International businesses, such as Johnson’s of Whixly and Stage One, who design, and manufacture stage sets for the Voice and Dancing on Ice. Well known for jumping in a truck at a moment’s notice, heading off to whereever the load needs to go.
Finalists
Andrew Bean
Gary Barker
Phil Smith
Sponsored by
CHARITABLE BUSINESS AWARD 2019
Minster FM, Charitable Business of The Year 2019
Minster FM, Charitable Business of The Year 2019
Minster FM
Minster FM is a fabulous friendly radio station based in York, who all work very hard and are brilliant at being part of the community. The radio station contributes to various charities throughout the year, from Christmas Toy appeals, supporting external charity events and sharing fantastic story-lines of fundraising activities. A certain lady called Victoria Charles stands out! She bends over backward for people and helps them the best she can, she organises a lot of community events locally for people to get involved, she really is an incredible woman and deserves recognition for all her hard, skilled, and amazing work she produces.
Finalists
Breast Friends
Emily Clark (St Gemma's Hospice)
Special Stars Foundation
Sponsored by
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD 2019
Thorpe Park Hotel, Customer Service Award 2019
Thorpe Park Hotel, Customer Service Award 2019
Thorpe Park Hotel
The team at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds consistently provide excellent service which is reflected in their guest reviews and local reputation. Despite repeatedly achieving high standards they are constantly striving to improve their offering. The team recently won Best Luxury Fitness Spa at the World Spa awards, and the restaurant team awarded an AA Rosette, reflecting their customer-led focus. The guest is always at the heart of everything they do, and they hope to further establish a place in the Leeds market as the 'go to' destination for Award-winning hospitality.
Finalists
Huddersfield Town Ticket Office Team
Indigo Greens
Pride & Provenance
Sponsored by
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YORKSHIRE MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019
Stephanie Hirst, Yorkshire Media Personality of the Year 2019
Stephanie Hirst, Yorkshire Media Personality of the Year 2019
Stephanie Hirst
Starting her career at age 12 at Radio Aire in Leeds as a helper making tea for DJs, Stephanie soon moved up the ranks and was on the overnight show at 16. She’s appeared nationally on many radio stations and tv shows and best known for hosting Hit40UK, the former national commercial chart show, and the weekday breakfast show on Capital Yorkshire called Hirsty's Daily Dose. Stephanie’s story speaks for itself. After living most of her life feeling she was trapped in the wrong body, Stephanie took a huge leap a few years ago to through the process of gender transitioning. Since then she has shared her story and supported others on a similar journey. She is an inspiration and demonstrates values we can all aspire to, such as integrity and authenticity.
Finalists
Caroline Verdon & Ant Arthur
Christine Talbot & Duncan Wood
Lucy Pargeter & Dominic Brunt
Sponsored by
INSPIRATIONAL INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR 2019
Rachel Smith, Inspirational Individual of the Year 2019
Rachel Smith, Inspirational Individual of the Year 2019
Rachel Smith
Rachel's husband, Nick, died in December 2017 after a 102-day battle with Motor Neurone Disease. He was only 38 years old. A legend of amateur rugby league, Nick played with Siddal ARLFC from the age of 8 making 400 appearances for the team. He played professionally when younger with both Leeds Rhinos Academy and Sheffield Eagles before embarking on a career as an accountant. As well as trying to cope with her grief, and look after her children, Rachel was determined to ensure Nick had a lasting legacy, so she formed a charity in his name – The Nick Smith Foundation. Supporting research into MND, support young children who have to face the death of a parent and support young people to take up rugby league.
Finalists
Jayven Chera
Norristhorpe School Administration Staff
Paul Atwal-Brice
Sponsored by
LOCAL FUNSRAISER OF THE YEAR 2019
Homeless Street Angels, Local Fundraiser of the Year 2019
Homeless Street Angels, Local Fundraiser of the Year 2019
Homeless Street Angels
For the last 5 years, Becky and Shelley Joyce have been feeding and clothing the homeless in Leeds City Centre and Headingley. They have managed to rehouse a number of people in that time and fundraised to furnish each property to provide them with a home. Recently they had a personal tragedy and lost their Sister, so they set up Homeless Street Angels with a view to opening a day centre for the homeless called Abi House, named after their Sister. Homeless Street angels now have a loyal group of volunteers that support Becky and Shelley each week, some as young as 8 years old taking to the streets each week to make a small difference. They hold numerous charity events, for example, a rucksack appeal which involved the north Leeds community wrapping gifts and toiletries to hand out to the homeless on Christmas Eve. Their efforts have been recognised by Lord Alan Sugar and featured regionally on ITV & BBC news.
Finalists
Chris Pointon
Helen Smith
Pamela Clare
Sponsored by
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR 2019
Lucas Town, Sporting Achievement of the Year 2019
Lucas Town, Sporting Achievement of the Year 2019
Lucas Town
Lucas is a multitalented inspirational young sportsman from Huddersfield. He’s a 12-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy and takes part in wheelchair tennis, disabled horse riding, wheelchair racing, and framed football. He is excelling in wheelchair tennis and has already won 3 medals for the Nottingham Open, Leeds and Grantham competitions and entered the Wheelchair Nationals in November and December. Such a massive achievement at such a young age. What an exciting sporting future this young man has ahead of him!
Finalists
Ellis Ward
Huddersfield Town Football Club
Matt Greenwood
Sponsored by
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2019
Lauren Doherty, Volunteer of the Year 2019
Lauren Doherty, Volunteer of the Year 2019
Lauren Doherty
In 2008, on a night out with friends, Lauren was distracted and crossed the road without looking. She was hit by a van and as a result, is totally paralysed. After the horrific accident in which she broke her spine in two places, as well as her pelvis, Lauren went on to spent 16 months in different hospitals in Harrogate, Leeds, and Sheffield. Despite still being paralysed and in a wheelchair over the last 10 years, she has rebuilt her life. Lauren has now volunteers to speak in person about her unfortunate accident. She has spoken to more than 2,000 school children of all ages in the Harrogate area about road safety in the light of her own experiences. She hopes that by sharing her story and the reality of what your life can be like, it will make children think carefully about crossing a road safely.
Finalists
Andrew Ashworth
Sophie Chapman
Wetherby Christmas Lights
Sponsored by
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019
Sebastian Murphy, Young Achiever of the Year 2019
Sebastian Murphy, Young Achiever of the Year 2019
Sebastian Murphy
Seb was originally diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age 3, he underwent three and a half years of grueling chemotherapy treatment. At 11, he was in his last year of primary school, looking forward to high school, enjoying playing football for the Guiseley Greens and you would never guess he was a cancer survivor. Sadly, at Christmas 2017, the leukemia returned, and he failed to respond to treatment. He’s spent over 160 nights in the hospital, much of that in isolation not even able to see his brother and sister. He has undergone high dose chemotherapy, immunotherapy, full body radiotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant. He has bravely suffered the horrendous side effects of the brutal treatment and if he is lucky enough to be cured, he will have to live with the long term after effects of the treatment for the rest of his life. He is on a roller-coaster which is continuing to give huge challenges but in the eyes of all who know him, he is a true inspirational hero.
Finalists
Amelia Flanagan
Hayden Connet
Naomi Joyce
Sponsored by
KATE GRANGER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD 2019
Vicki Gilbert, Kate Granger Outstanding Contribution Award 2019
Vicki Gilbert, Kate Granger Outstanding Contribution Award 2019
Vicki Gilbert
At 19, Vicki was diagnosed with bone cancer, leading to extensive chemo, radiotherapy, and several surgeries that eventually resulted in the amputation of most of her right leg. An aspiring sports coach at Leeds Carnegie College, her dreams were abruptly halted. The treatments caused hearing loss, kidney damage, and, most heartbreakingly, her cancer had been initially misdiagnosed, rendering all her suffering unnecessary. In autumn 2016, recovering from ankle surgery, she attempted the Aspire Channel Pool Swim and was later invited to join a team to swim the English Channel. However, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, potentially caused by her earlier radiotherapy. Despite these challenges, Vicki remained resilient. She trained hard for the Channel swim and, in August last year, participated in a relay across the Channel to raise money for charity, earning her the nickname "Wonder Woman."
Finalists
Ben Carpenter
Claire Throssel
John McGall
Sponsored by
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD 2019
Claire Throssell, Special Recognition Awards 2019
Claire Throssell, Special Recognition Awards 2019
Claire Throssell
Claire Throssell has kept her sons' sports gear in her car for four and a half years, ever since they were murdered by their father, Darren Sykes. In a premeditated act, Sykes lured 12-year-old Jack and 9-year-old Paul to the attic with a promise of a new train set, only to trap them in a fire. The boys were later carried out by firefighters, who were traumatized by the scene. Determined to prevent other tragedies, Claire has campaigned tirelessly against unsafe child contact with abusive parents. Her efforts have made family courts safer, requiring them to assess the risk of harm to children and preventing perpetrators from cross-examining their victims. "No parent should have to hold their dying child or hear they've been harmed in an act of revenge," Claire says. She continues to fight for children's voices to be heard in family court decisions.
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