YOU are the stars of our county. That was the message from hundreds of guests at this year’s Stars of Suffolk awards as tales of bravery, dedication, quick-thinking and sporting prowess were told.
Scores of nominations have been sent in over the last few months with 16 awards being handed out at the ceremony on Friday, which was held at Suffolk New College.
Teenager Rhys Joseland picked up the young person of the year award and the overall Stars of Suffolk award, for his selfless actions in rescuing a woman who was being attacked in her home.
The 15-year-old, of Lockington Crescent in Stowmarket, was walking to school when he heard a woman screaming for help.
The then 14-year-old ran into the home and came across a man who was assaulting a woman and managed to get the man away from her.
Rhys said: “It is amazing, it really is, I just didn’t expect this at all.”
Ipswich Star editor Terry Hunt, who presented Rhys with his overall award, added: “He is someone who did something quite extraordinary, something extroardinarily brave and something that possibly saved someone’s life.”
Receiving one of two special recognition awards was eight-year-old Mason Fountain from Ipswich who, after discovering he had a brain tumour, set up his own charity.
Mason’s Magic was set up in January last year under the umbrella of Brain Tumour UK, to give gifts and treats to children who have brain tumours.
So far the charity has raised £50,000 and Mason’s Magic Twitter page now has more than 100,000 followers.
Also picking up a special recognition award was the 1st Battalion – the Royal Anglian Regiment, known as the Vikings, members of which recently completed a tour of Afghanistan.
Compere for the evening, BBC radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy, said: “We can’t thank you enough – we really do apreciate everything that you do for us.”
The awards are now in their fourth year and are supported by the Ipswich Star, sister title the EADT and Suffolk County Council.
Mick Parker of Parker Communications, one of the organisers and founders of the event, said: “I think that this has been without doubt, the best Stars of Suffolk yet.”
? For full coverage of the awards and details of all the winners, see Tuesday’s Ipswich Star for a special eight-page supplement.
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