THE highly anticipated Pride of Andover Awards ceremony has taken place, a great evening that recognises residents for their commitment to the community.

Held this year at The Lights on Tuesday, October 25, the ceremony was hosted by Channel Four’s Hunted star Jordan Wylie and compared by previous Pride of Andover Award winner Luis Wyatt.

The prestigious ceremony celebrates Andover’s unsung heroes, the people who make a big difference to the lives of so many, but who are so often just getting on with it.

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The awards celebrated the inspiring and selfless actions of some of the town’s most generous individuals.

With an incredible number of nominations and more winners than ever, this was the event’s biggest year ever.

This year there were 11 categories covering a range of different areas of society, with both winners and highly commended awards being announced.

Included in the categories was an Overall Winner which recognises those whose achievements and work in the community have been far-reaching.

Speaking after the event, The Pride of Andover chairman Karen Hamilton said: “I would like to express my thanks to the committee, the business sponsors, volunteers, our host Jordan Wylie and our compere Luis Wyatt, as well as all the winners of Pride of Andover 2022.

“The evening was another roaring success, celebrating some of the best Andover has to offer, that selflessly support their communities and town.”

The winners were as follows:

Fundraising Award:

Highly Commended: Karsten and Hayley Kirby

Winner: Rob Sutherland

Community Champion Award:

Highly Commended: Joan Walker and Sharon Green

Winner: Claire Hattrick

Inspiring Others Award:

Highly Commended: Cynthia Cannon

Winner: Lyn Gresham-Thompson

Services Award:

Highly Commended: Andover Police Cadets

Winner: Andover Vaccination Team

Sports Award:

Highly Commended: Willie Plowman

Winner: Cassius Mitchell

Arts Award:

Highly Commended: Lani Clayton

Winner: Alicia Barnett

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Mayor of Test Valley Award:

Winner: Heather Boyd

Young Person of The Year Award:

Winners: Freya Hart and Lauren Farrelly

Heart of Gold Award:

Winner: Ronnie Hoo

Sue Sheppard Award:

Winner: Victoria Cheshire

Overall Winner: Ronnie Hoo

Ronnie Hoo, who works to help support vulnerable people with poor English skills or without computer skills cope in modern Britain, said: “I do what I do because I care about people and want to help them, when I help them it helps me and I am always learning from them”.