We Can Do It awards picture slideshow

Here’s our picture slideshow of the We Can Do It awards.

From people overcoming personal challenges to schools raising money for charity, this year’s We Can Do It awards truly showed off the unsung heroes of the community.

Hundreds of people turned up to the awards yesterday afternoon at the Kings Theatre in Southsea to show their support for the 60 nominees.

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And there was lots of clapping and cheering as each runner-up and winner went up on stage to collect their awards for all their hard work.

With 10 categories, ranging from Best Business to Best Garden, the events are The News’ way to highlight all the good things people in our community do.

It gives the unsung heroes the chance to take centre stage and be recognised for their selfless work.

Winners of all ages were acknowledged from Ron Jacobs, winner of the Best Volunteer who has been in the Scouts for more than 50 years, to Sophie Mortimore who won our Spirit of Youth category.

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The 14-year-old was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis but overcame this to run three miles after a 10-hour operation.

But all the nominations had incredible stories which have been picked out throughout the year for the We Can Do It awards.

Mark Waldron, editor of The News, said: ‘The awards were fantastic. We had some great performances and awards and I hope we didn’t let anyone down.

‘The We Can Do It awards are the ones that touch our community and touch our readers the most which is fantastic.

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‘It’s important that we do take a step back and applaud the people who make our communities a better place to live in.’

The afternoon was topped off with fantastic entertainment from Portsmouth Grammar School, the Boyle O-Dowda Irish Dance Academy and Instant Star winner Lucy Simmonds.

Portsmouth Grammar School kicked off the show with two songs from Kiss Me Kate before the girls from the Irish dance school performed before the interval. Nine-year-old Lucy rounded off the awards with her incredible renditions of At Last by Etta James and Let It Go from Disney film Frozen.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Winner: Stephen Ayling

Runner-up: Dave Waterman

BEST BUSINESS

Winner: Ideal Window Solutions

Runner-up: Luvvit Want It

BEST ART/COMMUNITY PROJECT

Winner: Feel Yourself Knitting Project

Runner-up: Making Space Project

SPIRIT OF YOUTH

Winner: Sophie Mortimore

Runners-up: Liam and Callum Robinson

BEST VOLUNTEER

Winner: Ron Jacobs

Runner-up: Malcolm Garbutt

CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Winner: Flame Youth Group

Runner-up: Clare Seek

BEST SCHOOL

Winner: Alverstoke Infant School

Runner-up: St Alban’s Primary School

BEST STREET

Winner: Allen’s Road

Runners-up: Rowlands Castle

BEST GARDEN

Winner: Wicor Primary School

Runners-up: Fareham Borough Coucil

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Winner: Kasia Urban

Runners-up: Southsea Coffee Company