Children’s charity A Little Piece of Hope has held its inaugural ’Heroes of Mann’ Awards ceremony.

The charity said the awards aimed to celebrate ’children’s champions’ in the island and to recognise ’inspirational individuals and groups across our island, who deserve recognition for their achievements and bravery’.

Nominees included inspirational children and adults - parents, teachers, charity workers, and healthcare professionals.

Trustee Nicola Walton said: ’We meet a lot of local heroes though the charity and wanted to specifically recognise these heroes, we decided it was especially important after a slightly unusual 12 months.’

The public were given the opportunity to nominate candidates for each of the 15 categories, and then a group of independent judges decided on the overall winners.

A three-course meal was served, and entertainment included fire performers Spinnin Vannin and Giles the magician. Reflecting on the event, which was held at Colby Football Club, Nicola added: ’It was a fantastic and emotional night with the winners being very deserving of their awards.’

The award categories and winners were:

Little Star: an inspirational child under 7 - Caleb Faragher; Gold Star: an inspirational child age 8 -11 - Jack Raines; Superstar: an inspirational child age 12-plus - Harley Corlett; Heart In A Million: young carer under 18 - Liam Thornton; Skies the Limit: young fundraiser under 18 - Emelie King

The Hope Samara Recognition Award: for achievement and perseverance - Dylan Walton

Parent of Courage: an inspirational parent - Gemma Varey; A Family Together: an inspirational family - Gosia and Rafal Adamiak; Teacher of the Year Primary: inspirational teacher - Aalin Clague

Teacher of the Year High: inspirational teacher - Alison Lamb; Caring Arms: inspirational healthcare professional - Dianne Rubery; Charity of the year - Victim Support; Lockdown Hero: A person who went above and beyond for children during lockdown - Christine Barlow; A Legacy left over 18 : a person who has passed away achieved great things for children - Carol Synnott (Ballakermeen High School teacher).

l A Little Piece of Hope was established in 2012 with the aim of supporting bereaved parents, in memory of charity founder Helen Walmsley’s stillborn daughter Hope Samara.

It later expanded its scope to include helping with funding for parents travelling to UK hospitals, equipment for children with physical and mental handicaps and most recently it established bereavement and anxiety support groups for adults and children.