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UNSUNG heroes were honoured for their work in making the area a safer place to live. Outstanding Safer And Stronger Communities Awards (OSSCA) were presented at a glamorous ceremony to the great and good of North East Lincolnshire. Chosen from hundreds of nominations and presented by actress, Julie Peasgood, the winners included neighbourhood action groups, charities and people who simply do their bit. A poignant posthumous award was presented in honour of late motorcyclist Daniel Eastwood, pictured right, who was classed as "one of the team from a different station" by Humberside Police officers. The winners were: Standing Up Against Antisocial Behaviour Award: Mandy Wood and Yvonne Gorman. Outstanding Community Safety Project Award: Residents' Association of Aylesby, Laceby and Irby (RAALI). Outstanding Contribution to Reducing Crime Award: Street Angels. Creativity and Innovation Award: Tukes. Building Stronger Communities Award: Kevin Dobbs, of Immingham ABC Boxing. Community Thank You Award: Cath and Ken Homewood, of Grimsby Food Kitchen. Judges Award: Pat Woolliss, of the Grimsby and District Live At Home Scheme. Lifetime Achievement Award: Surinda Khurana, of Communities Together for Racial Equality and Justice. Posthumous Award: Daniel Eastwood. The head of Safer And Stronger Communities Spencer Hunt believes without the winners and nominees, the borough would not be as safe a place to live. He said: "There are so many unsung heroes out there, so many people who work tirelessly to improve the area. A lot of them don't want recognition but this encourages them to carry on and shows we are there to support them. "Crime has reduced significantly over the past five years, some of that is down to normal policing, but a lot of it is the preventative work we do in partnership with the police and council and of course the volunteers and groups here tonight, who make a real difference." The awards are held every 18 months and are in their fourth year – each time presented by Cleethorpes-born Julie Peasgood. Describing the winners as "truly selfless" the star said: "These awards recognise people who do fantastic things for their communities without ever seeking reward. True altruism, not for ego, but simply to help. I admire everyone in this room tonight." Daniel Eastwood's girlfriend Vicky Cooley, 27, and mother of his daughters, Limi, three and Niya, nine months, tearfully accepted his posthumous award. Daniel, 27, was killed in December when his motorbike was in collision with a car outside Toll Bar Academy, in New Waltham. A security guard at Asda, police often called on him for help with investigations. Presenting the award, the Reverend Andrew Dodd said: "He was well-liked and respected by police officers. "Police say he went out of his way to help them whenever he could. He was one of the team who worked in a different station. "What you saw with Dan was what you got. He was a great guy who worked his backside off to support his family." Lifetime achievement winner Surinda Khurana is the chairman of Communities Together. He has spent 11 years strengthening relationships between different races and cultures. Thanking his wife, Avi, he said: "I am in shock. I have been working around 11 years promoting diversity, mutual respect and fighting against hate crime. "I feel very proud and I am so thankful for all the support people have given me. Especially my wife. It isn't easy, it has been long and hard and there has been an impact on our lives, but she is always there." Comments are closed.
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