Celebration of our heroes

Inspiring tales of fortitude, triumph and commitment were shared at a moving ceremony in honour of unsung heroes from across the West Midlands.

Tears were flowing at the annual Express & Star Local Heroes Awards, which took place in front of a star-studded audience at Molineux yesterday.

Before the likes of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, George Medal winner Lisa Potts and Wolverhampton cycling legend Hugh Porter, this year's winners included a Black County war hero, dedicated community stalwarts and a Paralympics golden girl.

Click here to see more pictures from the event.

Ten people from all walks of life were honoured with awards for bravery or their special contribution to society as well as their own personalised Express & Star front page and a cheque from fellow sponsor Birmingham Midshires.

The ceremony was hosted by Black Country historian Professor Carl Chinn, who praised the recipients for their "unbelievable and inspiring achievements".

This year's winners were Joseph Anderson from Broseley, Shropshire; Malcolm Carr from Smethwick; Jean Hughes from Wordsley; Bethanie-Leigh Shaw-Shillam from Oldbury; Leanne Blackwood from Kingstanding; Luke Cole from Warstones, Wolverhampton; Geoff Thomas from Bromsgrove; Eleanor Simmonds from Aldridge, Walsall and Ann Nightingale from Bilston.

After enjoying a festive three-course meal, first up to collect their award was sprightly 72-year-old Jean Hughes. Mrs Hughes has been running keep-fit classes in Wordsley for 36 years and raised £92,000 for local charities through a host of fundraisers.

On collecting her award from Wolves manager Mick McCarthy and player Mark Little, Mrs Hughes said: "I've got a good group behind me and this award is for them, not just me. What keeps us going is the fact that we are helping people. We go into hospitals to see equipment that we have raised money for being used and that makes it all worthwhile."

Next up was 14-year-old Joseph Anderson, who has undergone more than 300 operations since falling into a bath of scalding water aged two. He told the audience how he regularly has shark skin transplanted on to his own skin.

The avid Wolves fan received his accolade from Wolves star George Elokobi and Lisa Potts, the former Wolverhampton nursery nurse who saved youngsters in her care from a knife-wielding maniac.

Joseph said: "I just get on with it really. I have had lots of operations, more than 300, but my family help me all the time – they are really important to me and I want to thank my mum."

Wolves defender Mark Little said Joseph's bravery was "unbelievable".

He said: "I've undergone one operation and that was bad enough so to go through 300 at such a young age is incredible.

Events like this really put things into perspective and make you realise how many incredible people are out there." Malcolm Carr, the running partner of marathon man Dave Heeley, took to the stage next along with Blind Dave himself and Wolves star Jody Craddock.

The 44-year-old, affectionately known as Mad Mac, was hailed for completing seven marathons in seven days across seven continents in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

He said: "Anyone who gets involved with Dave Heeley must be a bit barmy. We met in the West Bromwich gym where I work and hit it off from day one. When he first mentioned this crazy challenge I thought he must have had a few beers, but then we started to think about it seriously and the rest, as they say, is history."

Paying tribute to his friend, 50-year-old Dave said: "Mac is an important bit of kit – the lampposts of the world wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for him. Seriously though, he's a great friend and he puts in so much time for me."

Leanne Blackwood, 19, was given an award for saving a woman from drowning in a canal off Bridgeman Street, Walsall.The student nurse was on her way to work at Walsall Manor Hospital when she dragged the woman to safety.

Prof Chinn praised Miss Blackwood for her "quick thinking and bravery" after she was presented with her award by Heart FM DJ and Express & Star columnist Steve Denyer. Miss Blackwood told how she grabbed a bag from a passer-by and threw it in to the water for the woman to grab onto before pulling her to safety and performing first aid while waiting for an ambulance.

Community campaigner Ann Nightingale, 69, was nominated for her tireless work to improve Bilston's Lunt estate. For more than 45 years, Mrs Nightingale has been striving to improve the lives of families in her neighbourhood and create a better future for the children.

After collecting her cheque and personalised front page from The Wolf FM's Richard Dodd, the grandmother-of-13 said: "When I first moved on to the estate, I looked around and saw the dirt and the problems and thought 'Right, if I'm going to raise a family here, things have got to change'. We have fought for modernisation of the houses, central heating, new windows – you name it, we've done it. As long as I'm still here, there is no chance of the Lunt being overlooked."

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Christine Mills presented Private Luke Cole, aged 23, with his Local Hero title. The Wolverhampton Territorial Army soldier was given the Military Cross for protecting his comrades in Gasmir while under fire from more than 80 Taliban fighters.

Pte Cole was serving with Mercians and on his last mission before redeployment when he was ambushed in September last year. The former pupil of the city's Smestow School was shot twice but despite his injuries, carried on fighting.

Prof Chinn described Pte Cole as a "local and national hero" and said "without young men like this, England would die". Pte Cole said: "I was just fighting to save my mates and I would do it again. It was quite a shock to meet the Queen, especially as she spoke to me for about 10 minutes. She said she was very proud of all the troops out there."

Mick McCarthy said: "That young lad put himself in that position and I find that incredible. Everyone's stories here today though are incredible and you couldn't single anyone out. It's been a really inspirational day, very uplifting. The club is very happy to be supporting this event."

Next to collect their award was former Wolves and England star Geoff Thomas. After the 44-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia, he had a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his sister Kay in 2004. This year, the father-of-two persuaded the Government to hand over £20 million to the Geoff Thomas Foundation to help fund scientific research into blood cancer.

Mr Thomas, who received his Local Hero accolade from former world champion cyclist Hugh Porter, said the foundation was going well and he would cherish his award.

He said: "The diagnosis just changes your life totally. I will be eternally grateful to my sister who put a lot of pressure on herself. There are so many positive people here today and it's great to hear their stories."

This year's youngest winner was three-year-old Bethanie-Leigh Shaw-Shillam, who lost part of her leg after battling meningitis. The youngster, who started nursery in September, took to the stage with proud mother Rebekah and Beacon FM breakfast show presenter Jo Jesmond. Rebekah, 22, told how doctors initially warned the family Bethanie-Leigh may not survive being transferred between hospitals. But she said: "She's a fighter. She's in and out the hospital all of the time but she never stops smiling and I just thank the Lord she's here."

Also given an award, but unable to attend the ceremony was Private Aaron Holmes. The 19-year-old from Dudley was with his battalion in Helmund Province, Afghan-istan, when he put himself in the line of fire to shield a fallen comrade. He then helped to regroup the platoon and defeat the enemy without further casualties. He previously told the Express & Star: "I joined the Army for some excitement and was not disappointed."

The final award went to Eleanor Simmonds, 13, who became the darling of this year's Paralympics after winning two gold medals in the swimming pool. The youngster, who moved from Aldridge to Swansea to be near an international-standard pool, was given her title by former Olympic gold medal swimmer Anita Lonsbrough, of Wolverhampton. Eleanor, a former Cooper & Jordan CE School pupil, told the crowd how she got up at 5.30am three days a week to train and was in the pool for 16 hours a week.

"I know a lot of people go through difficult times but I would remind them that good ones always follow."

Local Heroes is organised by the Express & Star, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Birmingham Midshires to celebrate ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions to their community.