Some of those who came up on to the stage were young, some were not so young, some were accepting honours on behalf of people who are sadly no longer with us.

The Comet: Young achiever of the year Jessica Hart with Iain Hutchinson of sponsors Altro Flooring Group and host David CroftYoung achiever of the year Jessica Hart with Iain Hutchinson of sponsors Altro Flooring Group and host David Croft (Image: Archant)

But whatever the reason the winners of this year’s Comet Community Awards had been singled out for a well-deserved spell in the spotlight, the audience at Letchworth’s Icknield Centre cheered and applauded all night long.

Enjoy these galleries of winners and finalists in a range of categories from Young Achiever of the Year to Charity Champion, from Teacher of the Year to Valiant Volunteer.

Also featured are others involved on the night, including presenters, entertainers and judges.

Watch out for a detailed picture report in Thursday’s big Comet.

The winners were:

Carer of the Year

in association with Towergate Insurance

Emilia Wawak, who learned Portuguese to help a boy who couldn’t speak English after arriving in the UK, one of many youngsters she has helped aclimatise to new surroundings.

Charity Champions

in association with Kingshott School

Carol Thompson. Since her son Matthew was diagnosed with a rare heart and lung disease in 2002, Carol has been raising funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, and helped launch a Give It Up campaign in January.

Good Neighbour

in association with George Hay Chartered Accountants

Aletheia Mashiri. Neighbours have been able to enjoy Aletheia‘s community fruit and veg patch, after she transformed her Hitchin driveway.

Great & Green

in association with Car4Leasing

Camps Hill Primary School. The Stevenage school is proud to have an eco-friendly ethos, encouraging pupils to recycle and not waste electricity. Their animal care and gardening clubs have proved very successful.

Nurse/Care Worker

in association with B&M Care

Caroline Ryan. A senior nurse at Lister Hospital in a busy department, Caroline goes above and beyond to help colleagues and patients.

Kelly Barlow

Parent in a Million

in association with Ken Brown Motors

Sarah Cummins. The single mum of four has been described by her children as truly amazing, running the family home and supporting one child through mental illness while also setting up her own school in Letchworth.

Community Hero

in association with Roaring Meg Retail Park

Adam Howard, whose sporting reunion-inspired Back to School-ival event in Hitchin saw more than 200 old friends come together and raise £1,000 for North Herts Sanctuary.

Role Model of the Year

in association with Specsavers Stevenage

Dr Karen Woo (posthumous). Last year marked the fifth anniversary of the Stevenage doctor’s death while providing medical aid in Afghanistan. She continues to inspire others through the Karen Woo Foundation.

Service to the Community

in association with BBW Law

Grahame Williams. Grahame’s heart for helping has included providing transport to church for Hitchin’s Cheshire Homes residents, fundraising for the Herts Young Homeless charity, and helping launch Hitchin Street Angels.

Teacher of the Year

in association with Airbus Defence & Space

Daniel Camp. This inspirational drama teacher at Nobel has started a World Challenge project so students can visit countries in the developing world and broaden their horizons.

Valiant Volunteer

in association with Roaring Meg Retail Park

Sally Jarman. Knitting 30,000 Easter egg chick covers in 14 years is no mean feat – but that’s what Sally has managed for her hospice causes.

Young Achiever

in association with Altro Ltd

Jessica Hart. This 10-year-old helped set up Wilbury Community Forum in Letchworth three years ago and has helped win funding for Healthy Hart dance sessions to help tackle youth obesity.

Lifetime Achievement

in association with Morrison Utility Services

Kenn Ellis (posthumous). The former Stevenage council chairman and Second World War veteran passed away earlier this year having served the town in many different ways throughout his life.