Here they are...the finalists of this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards! Some wonderfully heart-warming stories were submitted this year and those selecting the shortlist had an incredibly tough time selecting three finalists in each category from hundreds of nominations. From keeping local parks clean and welcoming, to helping run maternity services, to those living with life-altering conditions - the people featured in the shortlist really are the unsung heroes of our town. These people do not see what they do as worthy, but here at the Chronicle we disagree. We believe they should recognised and honoured for making our town of Barnsley a better place to live, work and visit. This year’s awards ceremony will once again be hosted by radio DJ Steph Hirst and former BBC Look north presenter Christa Ackroyd. It will be held at the Holiday Inn at Dodworth on November 13. The winners will be announced on the evening have been selected by an independent panel of judges. Congratulations and good luck to all who have been shortlisted.

Community Group:

Goldthorpe Development GroupThe Goldthorpe Development Group was founded in 2012 as those living in Goldthorpe wanted to make a change to the community. The group throws events in order to raise money to develop Goldthorpe and help it become a better place.

Penny Pie Park Community GroupThe group keeps the local park a lovely place for all the community to enjoy. It was formed in March 2014 and has worked tirelessly to improve areas within the park such as a new footpath, planting a community orchard and a ‘get in and enjoy’ environmental area. The group meets every month and is planning events and shows to hold within the park grounds.

Bright Sparks GroupBrightsparks is a fun family group for families with children who have a special or additional need. It was started by two mums Zoe McHugh and Hannah Musgreave who trained and volunteered at Barnsley Health Champions. With 10 Children between them, Hannah and Zoe work hard to juggle their family life with running Brightsparks and also volunteer for a community parents group at their local Children’s Centre. Hospital Hero: Sarah CalvertSarah runs the Maternity Service User Group with no funding all because she wants to make a difference. She hosts a monthly meeting and encourages mums, dads, and grandparents to come along and discuss their care. She challenges staff to make those changes in a supportive and encouraging but fairly forceful way. Sarah has supported the creation of the Birthing Centre and now is on a mission to refurbish and rebuild the antenatal and postnatal ward to make it a lovely environment to go following the birth of a baby.

Ward 24Doctors and nurses on Ward 24 and Chemotherapy helped organise the wedding of Dan Green and his partner Maureen in January. Dan had suffered from a terminal haematology condition and had been a regular patient for about six years. Staff created an aisle for the couple to walk down, trimmed up the ward, organised flowers, party poppers and confetti, played the wedding march and held a buffet afterwards. Staff from various departments attended the wedding and the couple were later presented with two canvasses to hang on their wall.

SCBUBabies born early are cared for by dedicated doctors and nurses on the Special Care Baby Unit. The unit provides care for babies who are born at 27 weeks and above. It is also able to stabilise any baby born with surgical problems, heart problems or if the baby has been born under 27 week’s gestation. In these cases, the baby is stabilised and transferred to a specialist neonatal unit. As soon as the babies are well enough, they return to Barnsley.

Young Superstar:

Olivia Grace HardyNine-year-old Olivia raised hundreds of pounds after her friend’s little brother was born with an underdeveloped heart. She did everything from cutting of her hair to sponsored swims and runs. She thinks of all her fundraising ideas herself and has run 5k in under 40 minutes as well has having 12 inches of hair cut off.

Jake BlatchJake is one of only 600 people in the world who suffer from a rare, lifelimiting blood disorder called Diamond-Blackfan anaemia which also affects his bone marrow, leaving him exhausted. New medication means he can join in with certain activities such as school sports day. Jason ClarkJason, 11, sold his books and toys to raise money for Greenacre where his twin brother Aaron, who has Down’s Syndrome, is a pupil. It was all part of Jason’s business plan which he created specially to fundraise for the special school, pitching his ideas to headteacher Susan Hayter before setting up the charity ‘SuporttheNoun’.

Community Hero:

Bronia WardenBronia started the Healthy Bones class about 14 years ago. It aims to strengthen people’s muscles, improve balance and prevent falls. There are between 17 and 20 members the youngest being 21 and the eldest being in their 80s. Over the years Bronia has attended various training courses and is able to tailor exercises to people’s individual abilities.

Leslie TurnerLeslie Turner has played in Silkstone Brass Band for 70 years. He promised his mother he would learn how to play the cornet and started at the age of ten. Leslie started a junior band and taught many players who are still playing to this day. He has also been conductor, band sergeant when on parades, librarian looking after all the bands music.

John PottsJohn Potts extremely well respected at Barnsley Rugby Union Football Club. He has been the treasurer for 55 years, completely voluntary. He spends up to four days a month at the club and attends board meetings in the evening. John has previously been a player and acted as a linesman well into his 50s. He was known for being scrupulously fair – even to the cost of his own team. John is described as a true gentleman by his friends and colleagues.

Geoffrey and Elsie HutchinsonThis couple were the first in South Yorkshire to receive a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1998 to open the Maurice Dobson Museum in Darfield. Through running the museum, which is dedicated to telling people the history of their community, Geoffrey and Elsie have provided a welcoming space with lots of activities for people to get involved in. Sporting Achievement:

Dearne Valley BulldogsThe Dearne Valley Bulldogs is the only rugby league club in the area and has built a thriving youth system. The club, based at Ings Lane in Bolton-upon-Dearne, has more than 100 youngsters regularly playing ‘the greatest game’ and have forged coaching links with the Sheffield Eagles.

Shaw Lane AquaforceShaw Lane Aquaforce’s rise through the football league system has shown no signs of slowing up. The Shaw Laners were a Sunday league team five years ago but are now Barnsley’s highest ever non-league team after earning a fourth straight promotion by winning the Northern Counties East league last season.

Darren EnglandDarren England finished his career as an assistant referee at the FA Cup final back in May. Now Darren, who also officiated a game between Argentina and Portugal and the world’s best players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi last season, is a referee in his own right and has started making the big decisions in League Two.

Start-up: CT Design CT Design was set up by 16-year-old Cameron Thomas who has not long since made his first £1,000 after setting up a printing company. He founded CT Design in 2013 after the death of his great-grandmother Mary Dawber. Cameron designed t-shirts and a bag for his mum for a family day out.

Oh Sew SweetOh Sew Sweet is a craft shop, cafe and community meeting point, where many different kinds of craft groups and classes are delivered. The business, which is owned and run by husband and wife team Jeff and Lorrayne Hall, started 18 months ago and now has two locations including a shop in Mapplewell and a newly opened shop and cafe in Wombwell.

Leigh Humpleby - Illuminate TrainingLeigh is an ex-military woman from Barnsley who set up a training company to help disadvantaged young people and the sporting community learn first aid and survival techniques in the outdoors. Her company was formed 12 months ago and specialises in creating orienteering challenges, in which groups of young adults, aged 16 to 24, have to deal with mock casualties.

School:

Keresforth PrimaryThe school was nominated by a parent who was full of praise for headteacher Helen Otley. She is described as warm and approachable, supportive and understanding. The school has very good education standards which the parent believes is down to Mrs Otley’s leadership skills and teamwork with staff.

Barugh Green PrimaryBarugh Green is a caring and supportive school which encourages pupils to be friendly, polite and caring. High standards are expected of both pupils and staff. It aims to help pupils acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a fast changing world, to develop into moral, caring people and to develop lively, enquiring minds.

Birkwood PrimaryThe Cudworth school is an ‘outstanding school’. Birkwood, under the leadership of headteacher Julie Allen, is a caring, supportive and family orientated community which encourages their children to be the best that they can be. All that they do is underpinned by their school motto - ‘Inspire, Cherish and Achieve Together.’

Triumph over adversity:

Katie BaldryWhen Katie was battling a life-limiting medical condition during her time at Darton High School, some teachers said she would never achieve much with one member of staff even telling her to resign herself to a life living on benefits. Katie’s determination was not broken, and she has since gone on to graduate from Edge Hill University and become a qualified reception teacher.

Lauren MorrisLauren’s life has changed dramatically over the last few years. The 13-year-old has undergone major surgeries after her growth plate - which protects the hip - slipped while she was playing. She was later diagnosed with Lyme disease. Despite this she has never complained, she just tried to get on with things the best she can.

Lauren TaylorThree-year-old Lauren Taylor was diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic condition Williams Syndrome at just four months old. The condition affects one in 25,000 children in the UK and causes cardiovascular problems, developmental delay, hypersensitivity to noise and sleep problems. Her parents have appeared on programmes like This Morning and in newspapers across the world to raise awareness of the condition.

Exceptional achievement:

Dr Selina WrayBarnsley-born researcher Dr Selina Wray was nominated for her groundbreaking research into new dementia treatments. Last year she was awarded £900,000 for a stem cell study after beating three other research teams for three years’ funding. Dr Wray and her co-investigators developed a way to recreate the build-up of the hallmark dementia protein ‘tau’ in cells.

Andrew ArcherAndrew set up his own digital colour printing business in 1992 despite having a severe disability. Even though he is confined to a wheelchair, he still manages to go to work every day, deal with customers and provide a service which is second to none. Andrew relies on his wife Gillian for his everyday needs and care.

Acorn BreweryAcorn Brewery, in Wombwell, has placed Barnsley firmly on the real ale map. It delivers Barnsley-brewed real ale direct to more than 400 pubs and bars and supplies hundreds of others via wholesalers. Its beer is sold in the UK’s top five supermarket chains and 50 independent retailers and its bottled beer is exported to Italy. It’s Barnsley Bitter has even featured as a guest ale in Strangers’ Bar at the House of Commons.

Carer of the Year: Lynda PickersgillLynda has been nominated for her outstanding devotion to her daughter Amie. Shortly after her birth, Amie was diagnosed with brain damage and later developed epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Lynda has soldiered on, done everything she can to help and is always there for her daughter. Graham and Lesley WilmotGareth Wilmot was just 36 when he was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia with Pick’s Disease. He had been a regular man in his thirties, with a partner and a job as a teaching assistant. His parents, Graham and Lesley, have done everything in their power to help their son and make it known that dementia does not only affect the elderly.

Richard Evans Richard Evans, who works at Caremark Barnsley, helps to make a positive difference to the lives of families across the town. He genuinely cares about each and everyone of his customers and could always be counted upon to help when required with no job being too big or too small.

Charity fundraiser: Phil and Vicki Hickling Phil and Vikki are landlords of the Milton Arms in Elsecar and have raised just short of £100,000 to date for local and national charities including Barnsley Hospice, Bluebell Wood, British Heart Foundation and Barnsley Hospital as well as local cricket, football and rugby clubs. Paula MaguireChances are you took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge which swept the country last year to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease. That was thanks to midwife Paula who introduced the challenge to Britain after spotting it taking off in America. Paula has raised more than £4million through the donation page and has £12,000 of her £15,000 target by completing marathons.

Trish HallTrish’s son Daniel Binney died in June aged 19 from a rare bone cancer. Trish has since set up a charity called Dan’s Helping Hand to help families with funeral costs for young adults aged between 16 and 24. She raised about £4,000 after organising a charity night held with X-Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan, and donations thought to total about £3,000 are being collected after seven mums ran seven marathons in seven days. Volunteer:

Ernie OliverErnie has vowed to carry on volunteering until he is 100. And at 92-years-old, he’s almost there. He has done volunteer work all his life and can be spotted at clean up days around Cudworth and helps plant flowers, prune bushes, paint, pick up litter and sweep paths. He also helps out at Cudworth’s Tea in the Park galas.

Cally HaysCally is dedicated to helping her community and has put her all into the reopening of the New Lodge Community Centre. The community centre, which is owned by Berneslai Homes, was closed down in April of last year after a lack of funds halted the refurbishment of the building. It needed a new kitchen and toilets installing to be able to meet standards.

Pegah MoulanaPegah was born in Iran and moved to Barnsley with her parents when she was eight. She could not speak English and didn’t really understand people at primary school. She was bullied at school and now tries to prevent anyone from suffering as she has. Pegah was a school councillor, a Barnsley youth Councillor and is now a member of the Youth Parliament. Love Where You Live:

Greenfingers at Greenfield Primary, HoylandGreenfingers is a group of volunteers known as the ‘Dream Team’ and is made up of mums and dads and retired grandparents. They have saved the school thousands of pounds, allowing more money to be spent on activities. To date, the team has helped create a recyclable greenhouse from plastic bottles, is creating a garden patch and has planted vegetables and grown strawberries. It also nurturing a spot of natural beauty.

Doreen CuretonCommunity stalwart Doreen Cureton has done everything in her power to make Barnsley a better place. She has been the driving force behind the maintenance of Churchfield Park, is a member of the ward alliance, runs the town’s Forever Young group and has organised various events and charity shows raising thousands of pounds in the process.

We Love WombwellThis is an association of voluntary and community groups, individuals and schools working together for the benefit of the entire community - sharing information, experience and even volunteers. It holds regular meetings to share and discuss ideas and allows residents to feel part of their community. It is committed to ensuring Barnsley is good place to live, where work is available, where the environment is pleasant and safe, and where children can grow up in healthy, happy communities.

Children’s Champion:

Caroline Devonport Caroline is the back bone of Barnsley Sea Cadets. She has been the Commanding Officer for a number of years and runs the unit giving cadets from the ages 10-18 the chance to experience new skills, gain confidence and make lasting friendships. Antonio JamasbDearne and District Junior Football Club’s success has rocketed since Antonio Jamasb took over as chairman six years ago. Antonio balances a full-time job and a family with three children but still has the time to help a growing club of more than 300 kids, 33 coaches and dozens of additional volunteers. Sharon Auty (Shawlands School)Sharon is a school midday supervisor and has worked at Shawlands School for 25 years. She gives her all to help others, especially the children, so they can be happy. She leads the dinner team and organises appropriate food, games to play, cleans up grazed knees and sings songs. She volunteers throughout the day listening to readers, supporting vulnerable pupils, going on trips, attending sports days and charity events.