The Stars of Suffolk final is always an event to be rejoiced, but this year the nominees excelled with true tales of courage, strength and dedication demonstrating just what an outstanding place the county is.

East Anglian Daily Times: Janice Scott received the Community Champion of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNJanice Scott received the Community Champion of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Launched by businessman Mick Parker 10 years ago, the awards look to celebrate the unsung heroes in our county, who have overcome diversity, battled against the odds and worked tirelessly within their communities.

There was barely a dry eye at Trinity Park last night, and several candidates saw the audience stand in ovation in support of their achievements.

More awards than ever before were presented, with the introduction of the Lifetime Achievement and Lifetime Sporting Achievement categories.

Each winner received a prize tailored to their own interests, with a 10-night Fred. Olsen cruise, a £400 Coes of Ipswich shopping spree and pamper sessions at Ufford Park among the fantastic gifts donated by a number of Suffolk companies.

Brad Jones, EADT and Ipswich Star editor, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the best nights of the year in Suffolk.

“We are delighted to help recognise the really wonderful work that goes on in Suffolk.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Carer of the year Elysha Young receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNCarer of the year Elysha Young receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Mick Parker said: “What a fantastic evening. The tales we hear on the night never cease to amaze me.

“The awards have done exactly what we set out to do - to celebrate so called ordinary people who do such extraordinary things, and expect nothing in return.

“Year on year the awards just get better and better, which is demonstrated by us creating new categories for 2017. Well done not only to our exceptional winners, but also to our outstanding finalists. The judges had no easy task in choosing the winners. You truly are all Stars of Suffolk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Young Person of the Year Eve Brooks-Parkin receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNYoung Person of the Year Eve Brooks-Parkin receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and to those who donated prizes, without whom these awards would not be possible.”

Here are your winners:

East Anglian Daily Times: Unsung Hero of the Year Mat Bayfield with his fiance Kelly Pritchard. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNUnsung Hero of the Year Mat Bayfield with his fiance Kelly Pritchard. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Overall Star of Suffolk 2017 and Young Person of the Year

Eve Brooks-Parkin

East Anglian Daily Times: Diana Porter receiving her Special Recognition Award from Minnie Moll from the Co-op. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDiana Porter receiving her Special Recognition Award from Minnie Moll from the Co-op. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Special Recognition

Diana Porter, Fresh Start – New Beginnings

East Anglian Daily Times: Mark Murphy chatting to Unsung Hero of the Year Mat Bayfield with his fiance Kelly Pritchard. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNMark Murphy chatting to Unsung Hero of the Year Mat Bayfield with his fiance Kelly Pritchard. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Unsung Hero

Mat Bayfield

East Anglian Daily Times: Shaun Whiter walking down the aisle on his wedding day. Picture: THOMAS ELLWOOD PHOTOGRAPHYShaun Whiter walking down the aisle on his wedding day. Picture: THOMAS ELLWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

Judges special award

Shaun Whiter

East Anglian Daily Times: Terry Hunt received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNTerry Hunt received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Lifetime Achievement

Terry Hunt and Nigel Pickover

East Anglian Daily Times: Carer of the Year Elysha Young receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNCarer of the Year Elysha Young receiving her award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Carer of the year

Elysha Youngs

East Anglian Daily Times: Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award winner Jordan Catchpole with managing director of Ipswich Town Football Club, Ian Milne. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNOutstanding Sporting Achievement Award winner Jordan Catchpole with managing director of Ipswich Town Football Club, Ian Milne. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Outstanding Sporting Achievement

Jordan Catchpole

East Anglian Daily Times: Lifetime Sporting Achievement Award winners� Allan Girot, Ann Negus and Brian Perks. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLifetime Sporting Achievement Award winners� Allan Girot, Ann Negus and Brian Perks. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Inaugural Lifetime Sporting Achievement

Allan Girot, Ann Negus, Brian Perks

East Anglian Daily Times: Janice Scott received the Community Champion of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNJanice Scott received the Community Champion of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Community Champion

Janice Scott

East Anglian Daily Times: Outstanding Bravery winner Isaac Bell with his family. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNOutstanding Bravery winner Isaac Bell with his family. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Outstanding Bravery

Isaac Bell

East Anglian Daily Times: Charlie Martin and Ali Angell receiving their award from Nick Hulme. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNCharlie Martin and Ali Angell receiving their award from Nick Hulme. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Hospital Person of the Year

Charlie Martin & Ali Angel

East Anglian Daily Times: Team of the Year winners� Caf� 66. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNTeam of the Year winners� Caf� 66. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Team of the Year

Café 66

East Anglian Daily Times: John Cresswell receiving the award for Search and Rescue Person of the Year. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNJohn Cresswell receiving the award for Search and Rescue Person of the Year. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Search and Rescue Person of the Year

John Cresswell

East Anglian Daily Times: Brian Hawes receiving his Fire Service Person of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNBrian Hawes receiving his Fire Service Person of the Year Award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Fire Person of the Year

Brian Hawes

East Anglian Daily Times: Mark Murphy chatting to Volunteer of the Year, Irene Rowe. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNMark Murphy chatting to Volunteer of the Year, Irene Rowe. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Volunteer of the Year

Irene Rowe

East Anglian Daily Times: Armed Services Person of the Year, Gary Croot, receiving his award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNArmed Services Person of the Year, Gary Croot, receiving his award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Armed Services Person of the Year

Gary Croot

East Anglian Daily Times: Police Person of the Year, Ginny Shoesmith, receiving her award from Suffolk County Council leader, Colin Noble. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPolice Person of the Year, Ginny Shoesmith, receiving her award from Suffolk County Council leader, Colin Noble. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Police Person of the Year

Ginny Shoesmith

For full details on the winning candidates and more pictures from the night, grab your eight-page supplement in Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star.