The Great Big Thank You Awards 2016: Celebrate with our unsung heroes - PICTURES and VIDEO

Celebrities, sponsors and finalists joined together to applaud the people that had been selected by our readers to be winners in our prestigious Great Big Thank You Awards.

More than 200 people attended the glittering award ceremony at the WV1 Suite at Molineux, Wolverhampton.

A drinks reception complete with dancing grannies, The Fizzogs, and an array of magicians was followed by a performance by Britain's Got Talent finalist Connie Talbot.

Compère Alan Dedicoat, known as the Voice of the Balls, and of Strictly Come Dancing, announced the winners, welcoming them onto the stage to find out their fantastic prizes and accept their trophies.

A special mention was also made to the late Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint who had been invited to attend but sadly died on Wednesday.

The first winner of the night, Stephanie Winwood, aged 49 of Darlaston, has been caring for her eldest grandson since he was just 13 months old, and also looks after her other two grandchildren whilst her daughter is at work.

• MORE - Check out more from the glamourous night and see more pictures including a 360 degree view

She was presented her award by Wolverhampton Olympic gymnast Kristian Thomas and Signal 107's Dicky Dodd.

Stephanie said: "It's overwhelming, I just class myself as somebody who is a normal grandparent. I'm over the moon."

As her prize, Stephanie and her family will now attend the Signal 107 studios as VIP guests for the day.

Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra conductor Keith Sedgebeer, aged 70, from Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, said he was 'absolutely amazed' to be presented with the Teacher of the Year Award by sports presenter Jacqui Oatley MBE and City of Wolverhampton council's managing director Keith Ireland.

"I'm extremely grateful to everybody who voted for me," added Keith, who will be a VIP guest at one of the city's entertainment centres and get a taste of life behind the scenes.

Angel of the Year, Lesley Thomas, aged 59, of Wednesfield, has worked at New Cross Hospital for the past 41 years and been a ward assistant helping vulnerable patients through their last days.

She was presented her award by Lisa Potts Webb and Kieran Larkin from Walsall Housing Group.

Lesley said: "I just accept this award on behalf of everyone who does the same job. It's been wonderful, thank you."

Her prize is a £1,000 home makeover.

Ten-year-old Louis Johnson, of Tettenhall Wood was 'overwhelmed' to win his Young Star Award, presented by The Voice Star Megan Reece and Lee Rudkin from sponsor Tile Choice.

Already the holder of a British Citizen Youth Award in recognition of his selfless work, The Christ Church Junior School pupil has raised more than £7,000 for good causes.

He thanked his mother for her support when he collected his award on stage.

His prize will be tailor-made for him by Tile Choice.

She said that the award recognised everyone who supported people affected by Alzheimer's and Dementia and particularly those who attend the Wolverhampton Alzheimer's Café she has been running since 2008.

Her prize will see a variety of electrical goods given to the café.

The Unsung Sporting Heroes award, presented by sponsors Wolves Community Trust manager Will Clowes, were named as Mike Ball and Graham Hodson.

Mike, aged 63, of Bushbury, and Graham aged 58, of East Park, founded the Bilston Youth Partnership league because they felt children deserved more opportunities to play football.

"The award is a tribute to the whole of the league," they said.

Their prize includes a training ground visit, a meeting with medical and coaching staff, plus a hospitality day at Molineux as VIPs.

Mascot Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, was named as Greg Hedges and mascot of the Staffordshire Regimental Association, Watchman V.

The award was presented by Wolves legend Steve Bull MBE and Phil Barnett, head of the board at The Grand.

Greg, aged 51 of Stafford, accompanied by Watchman V said: "This award really helps us to raise the profile not just of the regiment association but of the armed forces and makes people aware that we're not just out there in conflicts and serving our country overseas, but we're out there in the communities too."

Their prize is £5,000 of Grand Theatre tickets, which they are now looking to use to help good causes in the region.

The Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year, sponsored by University of Wolverhampton, was named as Philip Cook from Brierley Hill.

The 53-year-old gets involved in organising and compering a variety of events and over the years he has raised thousands of pounds for hundreds of good causes.

He said he felt 'very proud and very pleased' to win the award, which was presented by Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn and Jon Elsmore from the University of Wolverhampton.

For his prize, he will receive a VIP experience beyond price.

Finally, the Community Champion of the Year was revealed to be Eileen White, with the award presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Barry Findlay and Ibeth Mena Santos of sponsors Birmingham Airport and Qatar Airways.

Eileen who is in her 70s and from Aldridge, Walsall, told of how she had worked since the 1950s to ensure that disabled people in the region had access to worthwhile activities and events, and is now secretary of the Pelsall Disabled Organisation.

She said: "Disabled people are some of the most fantastic people to work with and I know they'll be so proud that I've won.

It's for them really, and to show how far we've all come."

Eileen's prize was two economy tickets to anywhere that Qatar Airlines fly.

Speaking after the awards, gymnast Kristian Thomas said: "It was a really inspiring and humbling night.

"It was quite special to hear their stories, hear the number of hours they've put into help other people or different charities."

Other celebrities that attended the ceremony included Anita Lonsbrough MBE, Hugh Porter MBE, and Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips as well as X Factor stars Relley C and Joe Whelan.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre panto stars X Factor's Joe McElderry and TV's Lisa Riley also delivered a message via video, as they were on stage during the evening in the hit show Aladdin.

Former Wolves goalkeeper and Sky Sports commentator, Matt Murray, said: "It is lovely to see people from the community come together and to see how they have made Wolverhampton a great place to be."

Dignitaries and politicians showed their support for the awards too.

Chief Whip and South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson attended as did Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds and Ninder Johal of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, as well as Wolverhampton

Councillor Paul Sweet, Councillor John Reynolds, and education director Julian Cramer.

Councillor Findlay said: "Coming together to celebrate each other's achievements is what we should be doing because there is so much going on in our communities to celebrate."