Inspirational people are celebrated at Newport's night of honour

Host Dave Edwards said this year's astounding number of nominations prove Newport is a "field of gold" full of "good-spirited individuals and communities".

This year's awards saw the addition of a new category for Community Champions which received more than 200 nominations from across the city.

In a speech at the ceremony, the Mayor of Newport, Councillor Matthew Evans thanked all of the nominees for their hard work in making Newport a great city.

As well as the Community Champion awards, winners were announced for the four other prestigious awards.

Cllr Evans presented Newport's Braveheart Award, while MP Jessica Morden presented the Young Person of the Year award to two joint winners and Amele Tukandra from charity GOVA presented the Above and Beyond award.

Pastor Dave Edwards, of the King's Church in Lower Dock Street, who hosted the awards said: "These inspirational people are those who go out of their door everyday looking for the good in people.

"It's easy to find the bad if you look for it, but these people look for the good and do wonderful things."

Speaking after the night, event organiser Hayley Corley, of the Kings Church, said: "We've had lots of great feedback from the communities.

"It's been great. We'll definitely do the Community Champions award at next year's Night of Honour, it was something really special."

The evening was filled with upbeat music and entertainment, including performances from a children's dance troupe, Little Rascals, and a performance of Pharrell Williams' Happy.

The South Wales Argus presented the first award to Newport's Neighbours of the Year, Claire and Andrew Maddocks.

The couple, who now live in Undy in Monmouthshire, were nominated after they opened up their home in 2010 to care for one of their friends who was dying of cancer.

52-year-old Joy Lewis had nowhere to go following her diagnosis of cancer in the digestive system, but the pair offered to take her in and nurse her until she died in 2011.

Ms Maddocks said: “It was very humbling to be nominated as there were just so many more worthy people.

“Looking after her was just the right thing to do. She was our best friend and although it was quite a traumatic time, it was also a very special time.”

The couple’s nomination read: “People have lost count as to the amount of times that this couple has stepped in and helped when others need assistance.

“They really loved this lady in her final days. It’s people like this that make the difference to communities – people we all need in our lives.”

Due to an overwhelming number of nominations, two young Newport men were named as 2014's Young Person of the Year.

Pill boy Rico Zulkarnain was given the award after he set up numerous sporting activities for young people in Newport, including youth tournaments and street soccer sessions.

Last winter, Rico co-ordinated a Facebook campaign for people to donate clothing, food and water for homeless people in Newport.

He also raised more than £1,100 to go to Brazil for the World Cup to help charities coach football to young people in the slums, as well as building local community centres

The 24-year-old is also a Welsh international Futsal player, a type of football which is played indoors and on a smaller pitch.

He first joined the youth club at Newport YMCA, on Mendalgief Rd, when he was just 11-years-old but continued working there as an adult, as well as organising street soccer sessions and community fairs.

He said: “I started volunteering and running sessions which were popular so I applied for funding. My main drive is giving back to the community."

Also named Young Person of the Year was 18-year-old Alex Snelling who volunteered more than 250 hours in Duffryn community.

Me Snelling started volunteering at the Duffryn Friday Night project as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, but loved it so much he wanted to continue.

He now works with a team at Duffryn Community Link which works with over 100 young people every week.

The keen sportsman has also completed various sporting qualifications which he uses to pass on skills to other young people.

During the Commonwealth Games he also travelled to Glasgow to volunteer with the Street Games.

The Above and Beyond award, given to recognise remarkable efforts, was presented to charity founder Tony Curtis who was unable to attend the awards.

Mr Curtis founded Newport-based charity Dreams and Wishes in 2011 which makes seriously ill children’s wishes come true.

He has a history of working with national children’s charities, including cancer support charity LATCH.

He works tirelessly with the charity, which is dedicated to organising special trips and activities for children who are battling life-threatening illnesses, including anything from a trip in a Ferrari or a visit to the House of Commons.

Mr Curtis, who was given an MBE in 2003, said: “I think it’s fantastic, a great honour. I’ve worked in Newport for most of my life and it’s good for the city to recognise all the awards.”

“The highlight is seeing the smiles on the faces of the children. No matter how short your life is, it’s about making special memories.

“Often the parents seem to suffer more than the children so we try to involve the whole family. We meet unbelievable children who deal so well with their serious illnesses.”

Chairman Mr Curtis co-founded Dreams and Wishes after getting fed up with a lot of the red tape in larger charities.

He said: “We’re all volunteers so every pound given to us goes to the work we do.”

The nomination for Mr Curtis read: “Tony has worked tirelessly for years helping others. He and his charity help to make the dreams of seriously ill children come true.”

The Mayor of Newport presented the Braveheart Award to a Bettws pensioner who spent her childhood in and out of children’s homes.

72-year-old Margaret Davis did not have the best of starts in life after being in and out of foster care and in a children’s home in Cardiff.

Now Ms Davis regularly meets and chats to young women in Newport to share her story and life experiences.

Community worker Jan Cleverly nominated Ms Davis, who has been fighting cancer, for the Newport’s Night of Honour Braveheart Award which honours courageous individuals.

Despite battling cancer, Ms Davis has been heavily involved with Bettws Friendship Club and makes jewellery which is sold to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice.

Jan Cleverly said that Ms Davis is proof that no matter what age you are, you can always help those around you.

Ms Cleverly said: “I met Margaret when we worked in partnership on an intergenerational project.

“She has some great stories, like the time she went to Barry Island with her foster family at seven years old. Her two step brothers picked her up and threw her in the sea and she’s hated water ever since.

On receiving her nomination, former hospital worker Ms Davis said: “I'm so shocked but really pleased.”

Each of the Community Champions nominees, from Communities First clusters across Newport, received certificates recognising their achievements.

Duffryn Commjnity Link, led by Bob Barry and Jane Lewis, were at the awards in force and spoke about the excellent work they do.

Many of the 55 young people in Africamp, who travelled to Kenya as part of a project to help build a primary school, also attended the night.