The Daily Echo-backed Community Star Awards priase the efforts of ordinary people who have made a difference to the lives of others

After sifting through scores of nominations for people who are shining lights in the community, the judges have revealed their chosen winners of the coveted Daily Echo’s Community Star awards.

During the course of a month Daily Echo readers were asked to nominate those who go the extra mile in making the lives of others that little bit better.

A panel of judges including Daily Echo editor-in-chief Ian Murray, Aster’s regional director Jean Dalziel and their customer board member John Cockaday were then given the difficult task of selecting the winners.

Our first and overall winner is 47-year-old blind sailor Aly Gunn from Millbrook who will receive £500 as well as £250 donated to a charity and she has chosen Lymington Sail-A-Bility where she is the chairman.

She said: “I just can’t believe it this is amazing, I didn’t even know I had been nominated for the longest time – this is so exciting.”

Runner-up was 16-year-old young carer Becky Woolford from Alresford who divides her time between caring for her mother, who is recovering from breast cancer and her dad, who has bipolar disorder and limited mobility after a back injury.

After finding out that she had won £250 plus £100 to charity, Becky said: “It’s great, I’m so grateful to the Winchester and District Young Carers charity for nominating me. I find this really fulfilling and love helping support others, this money will be great for treating people at Christmas.”

James Hilling, centre, receives his cheque for winning the highly commended Community Star award with Holly Alexander and Steve Cropp.

Next, a line-up of six nominees were chosen for the highly commended category, with each winner receiving £100 plus a £50 donation to a charity of their choice.

These winners include Con Attridge, the chairman of the Rose Road Association which helps young people with disabilities.

The 55-year-old from Portswood is donating his money back into the cause which is so close to his heart, as his 19-year-old daughter Katie has autism and has been going to the Rose Road Bradbury Centre she was a child.

Bill Slavin is a 75- year-old artistic saint to the people at Harbour Cancer Support Centre in Gosport, volunteering his time to patients looking for a creative release and will be donating all his money to the cause.

He said: “How lovely and such a surprise. I love doing what I do but it’s all to help everyone else so of course I want to give something back to them.”

Also chosen for the Highly Commended award is Mary Stoker, 58 who has worked hard to support her community in Fawley and will be saving the money to treat residents.

She has lived in the village for more than 35 years helping with the youth club, Beavers and Cubs groups and organising the Christmas fair every year.

Candy Huxham and her loyal team at The Handy Trust have also received an award for their 24/7 care helping young people across Hampshire.

She will be donating her winnings to the cause, which Candy, 52, set up in 1999.

James Hilling was nominated for taking his experience of living on the streets to help the homeless in Southampton and will be donating his winnings to the Basics Banks in the city.

The 35-year-old from St Denys said: “I’m really happy, I was homeless myself a couple of times. I came out of care when I was 16 and then went straight into supported lodgings. I want to give something back to the homeless charities.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bill Slavin with colleagues from Harbour Cancer Support Centre in Gosport

And the final winner is 86-year-old Iris Thomas from Chandler’s Ford, who is dedicated to keeping the elderly happy and looked after in her community working for the over-60s group at the Sunshine Senior Citizen Club.

She will be donating the money to keep her club running and said: “There is a saying ‘retirement is when you stop living at work and start working at living’ – this is definitely my philosophy.”

Jean Dalziel, Aster judge, said: “It was very humbling to read so many positive and heart-warming stories.

The kindness and generosity shown by everyone who was nominated is truly inspirational and it’s only right that their tireless efforts should be recognised and rewarded.”