THE 22nd annual ScottishPower/Trinity Mirror Your Champions Awards toasted heroes from across the region on Friday.

Community champions gathered for the red carpet treatment at The Crowne Plaza Hotel as glowing tributes were paid to those unsung and selfless community stalwarts who have given so much to our region.

Young and old heroes from towns, villages, schools and community organisations mingled with local celebrities, MPs, civic dignitaries and representatives from ScottishPower and Trinity Mirror Cheshire

This year has been particularly memorable, a year blighted by recession put financial and social strains upon our communities.

Amid the economic gloom the champions from across our circulation area have yet again shone through by reminding everyone that so often the most important things in life are free.

Once again, guests of the popular event learned of the acts of bravery and courage from those who had triumphed over adversity.

Carl Wood, Trinity Mirror Cheshire publishing director, hailed it as his favourite event of the year and reminded guests that a champion, by definition is “An ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person.”

Carl Wood added: “We are very proud to be associated with and support this fantastic initiative.

“It would not be possible without the champions and tonight we are celebrating the achievements of some very special people.”

ScottishPower has been proud co-sponsors of the award for 22 years which has paid tribute to some extraordinary and unique characters.

Raymond Jack, managing director of energy retail for ScottishPower, explained: “We are genuinely proud to be associated with this event.

He added: “The event shines on the vast amount of charitable work being done in the area and the people that make a real difference in the community.”

Special guests of the evening included ITV presenter Trevor Green who compered and Snooker Champion and Strictly Come Dancing star Willie Thorne.

The snooker star said: “The world today is a very strange place, which is why I am so honoured to be here.

He added: “It’s great to be talking about and listening to champions and learn about how they have.”

Pioneer area winners were:

It was a golden night for Ellesmere Port and Neston Special Olympics team who received the ultimate accolade by scooping Regional Winner in the Sporting Category.

More than 17 athletes triumphed at the Great Britain National Summer Games in Leicester earlier this year.

The team represented the North West region at the Games

Gina Randall, Great Sutton, who has rescued thousands of cats and kittens in and around Ellesmere Port since 1998 was named Ellesmere Port Adult Champion.

David Charles-Hendy, of Appletree Road, Whitby, was declared Young Champion for the Pioneer area.

David took part in the University of Chester’s mentoring initiative and has gone on to become a mentor himself.

Santro School of Dance based in the civic hall were declared Team Winner for raising money towards Claire House Hospice and Ellesmere Port Deaf Children, part of the Deaf Children’s Society.

Ellesmere Port Catholic High were awarded overall School Winner.

School pupils who had taken part in their own version of classic pantomime Aladdin handed over cheques for £1,500 each to representatives from the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Carol Highton from Runcorn was declared overall Champion of Champions.

Mother of Brian Shields, victim of the Loan shark Paul Nicholson who committed suicide because of his debt has set up the Brian Shields Trust to warn people about the dangers of turning to loan sharks.

Her campaign is very high profile and she has won a special award from Trading Standards.