IT WAS an evening when Newport’s unsung heroes hogged the limelight for once.

The Night of Honour awards rewarded the dedicated, the brave and the caring pillars of the community that the Argus serves.

The stories of the nominated people at Sunday’s event even reduced comedian Bobby Ball’s wife to tears, as the eight winners were announced to several hundred people who packed out the King’s Church.

Cheers and clapping rang around the hall as they received their awards.

Newport mayor Cllr John Guy summed up their efforts: “People who get up every morning, look at their alarm clock, who carry on their daily duties, carry on their family responsiblities but find the time to act in all sorts of ways to help others.”

“Tonight is an event where we recognise such people.”

Danielle Penn, who shared the Young Person of the Year title with Jordan Ali, told the crowd that her work makes a difference to children.

“Some of them don’t have very good home lives so it’s nice to see the smiles on their faces,” she said.

Public Service Superhero, Community Support Officer Hannah Wise, organises children’s parties to keep them off the streets.

She said: “That’s why I joined the police, to make a difference and to give young people a chance.”

Once the tears for the winners had run dry, Bobby Ball provided some cheer as he performed at the event once again.

Describing it as a “big honour” to be there, he was without his comedian partner Tommy Cannon. They celebrate 50 years in partnership this year.

King’s Church pastor Ray Bevan was also on good form, as he told the audience why the awards have been organised for the past three years.

“We love this city and we are amazed by the people in it,” he said.

The winners enjoyed a VIP reception once the curtains had come down on the stage action.

 

Night of Honour winners 2012 and their achievements

Volunteer of the Year – Marcelline Ravenscroft

The 43-year-old mother-of-three works part-time at Pill Millennium Centre, but more than matches those 16 hours of paid work with voluntary work which extends to coaching an under-nines football team.

Above and Beyond Award – Joanne Parcell

A WOMAN who worked countless hours to ensure that Newport’s summer events go swimmingly has won her award for going Above and Beyond in her job.

Mum-of-two Joanne Parcell, 45, of Alway, Newport, works as events officer for Newport council, working in the team that organised the Big Splash, Parklife and SuperDragons 2.

Parent of the Year – Sarah Gorry

MOTHER-of-two Sarah Gorry, 31, from Bettws, works with Improve.1, a social enterprise in the city that strives to improve the lifestyles of young people. She is also a single parent to Chloe, eight, and five-year-old Bethan.

Community Organisation of the Year – Newport RSIT & Monmouthshire Youth Solutions Service

Newport Rough Sleepers Intervention Team & Monmouthshire Youth Solutions Service, runs an outreach service that provides a hot drink, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, toiletries and healthy food and, if needed, access to a doctor or dentist for those who find themselves homeless.

Young Person of the Year – Jordan Ali Jordan Ali, 15, from Maindee, Newport, has been saving his pocket money for the last seven years so that every Christmas he can donate to another worthy cause.

Young Person of the Year – Danielle Penn Danielle Penn, 19, of Sandpiper Way, Duffryn, wanted to make a difference in her community and became a volunteer dance coach at Duffryn Community Centre two years ago.

Neighbour of the Year – Angela Chisman Newport woman Barbara Sellwood said she doesn’t know how she would cope without 69-year-old Angela Chisman, who lives near her in Maesglas Avenue. Ms Sellwood said that her neighbour has helped her ever since they first met, despite Mrs Chisman having a long list of other commitments.

Public Service Superhero – Hannah Wise

Hannah Wise, a community support officer based at Newport Central police station, has worked very hard to help solve many of the problems that exist in the city. Nothing is too much trouble for Hannah, and she goes out of her way even when she’s not at work to help the local community.