Champions of the North 2008

Jul 13 2008 by Sunday Sun

IT was a night of tears, cheers and laughter as we celebrated our fifth Champions of the North event.

Heroes young and old from across the North gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Newcastle to see their remarkable achievements celebrated, and even though they couldn’t all take trophies home, there was no doubt in everyone’s mind that all the finalists were champions in their own right.

And as the night got underway, in the decidedly decadent Grandstand Suite of the Gosforth hotel, beautifully decorated with exotic flowers, twinkling lights and balloons, Sunday Sun editor Colin Patterson warned us to have our tissues ready because it was going to be a very emotional night.

He said: “I have had the good fortune to have attended every one of our Champions of the North awards and I have always felt humbled by what I have witnessed.

“I believe that it is only right and fitting that the unsung heroes of our region get the reward and recognition they deserve at a time when the news is dominated by all that is negative within our society.

“Every year we get more and more entries, and every year we highlight through the pages of the Sunday Sun and our website the moving accounts of people who smile in the face of adversity, go out of their way to help others, play a leading role in their community or who perform astonishing acts of courage and bravery.

“I feel it my duty to warn that you will be moved by what you are about to witness as we salute this year’s Sunday Sun Champions of the North.”

It wasn’t just the finalists and their friends and family who came along . . . celebrities also took time out of their busy schedules to attend.

BBC Look North anchorwoman Carol Malia made a mad dash from her TV studio to join the unsung heroes.

Also there was Champions of the North regular Gary Tiplady, the region’s very own Jaws lookalike, and England and Durham cricketer Phil Mustard.

Pressures of work meant the North’s favourite celebrity couple Denise Welch and Tim Healy couldn’t attend as they have done in the past, but Denise’s actor dad Vin Welch was there to represent them.

After a slap-up meal, we turned to Galaxy radio lower caseradio presenters Karen Wight and Steve Farnell who hosted the presentations. Each finalist was seen in a short video telling their brave and harrowing tales of courage and heartbreak, leaving many guests shedding tears as they watched the stories unfold.

Courage and determination were virtues that resounded throughout the night, from Becky Slater’s devotion to her family as a full-time carer to Dorothy Fraser’s fundraising efforts . . . and once again it was the children who stole the show.

Guests had a chance to mingle with celebritiess, getting photographs and autographs. Giant Gary Tiplady donned his famous metal teeth as he posed for snaps, and spoke for us all with his summation of the event: “It has been an amazing night.”