Charity Awards Recognise Region's Unsung Heroes

The inaugural County Durham and Tees Valley Charity Awards 2007, promoted and sponsored by Hartlepool accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill and Darlington law firm Latimer Hinks, acknowledged the charities, the individual volunteers and the fundraisers who give their time and energy to worthy causes.

Compered by BBC Tees presenter Alex Hall, the event, held at Hardwick Hall near Sedgefield, was attended by more than 170 people from the region’s charity sector and local businesses. The winners were as follows:

• Fundraiser of the Year – Judith Shanks (Hummersknott School, Darlington)
• Charity Volunteer of the Year – Peter Beaty (Newton Aycliffe)
• Young Persons’ Charity of the Year – Newton Aycliffe Junior Neighbourhood Watch
- Special Commendation – Hummersknott Starsigners
• Housing Charity of the Year – Housing Hartlepool
• Health & Welfare Charity of the Year – Darlington Town Mission
• Education & Training Charity of the Year – The TTE Technical Training Group, South Bank, Middlesbrough
• National Charity – Local Branch - Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre (Middlesbrough)
• Charity of the Year – Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

Heather O’Driscoll, charity audit partner at Horwath Clark Whitehill said: “The County Durham and Tees Valley Charity Awards celebrated the wonderful work carried out by charity organisations and individuals from across the region.

“There are an amazing number of people in the region involved in the charity sector and we received an impressive number of nominations from many very different organisations. Every single person and charity nominated for these awards would have been a worthy winner and the judges had an incredibly difficult time choosing the eventual winners.”

Partner at Latimer Hinks, Anne Elliott said: “These awards were an opportunity to promote the region’s charity sector, and to recognise those who do such fantastic work for local charities.”

“I would like to congratulate all the winners, not forgetting those who did not win but who also tirelessly give their time and effort to support the region’s worthy causes. I would also like to say a huge thank you to all of the sponsors for making this event possible.”