By Freya Ingram and Nicole Taylor

A 12-year-old girl who raised over £50,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital in memory of her friend who died of a rare childhood cancer was commended at the Sheffield Lord Mayor Awards. 

Leah Walton, who was presented with the Young Hero award, was the youngest of the winners who were celebrated for their contributions to the city on Thursday night (March 13).

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Jayne Dunn, thanked the winners for “putting Sheffield on the map and making this a brilliant place to live”.

She said: “The event showcased people who would never normally have their voice heard.”

Sustainability Connects won the environment award for their work bringing underrepresented groups into climate change conversations.

They have conducted workshops with local groups including Sheffield Women’s Hub and learning disability charity, Workplace Limited. 

Sustainability manager, Sophia Reeve, said: “We’re bringing a variety of people into the topic of climate change and sustainability to show that it impacts everyone regardless of background.

She added that the workshops are “giving them a platform to really share their thoughts and opinions because typically disadvantaged communities are excluded from these conversations.”

The Lord Mayor stressed the importance of recognising peoples’ contributions.

We forget there is so much to celebrate and that is one of the joys that I have had as Lord Mayor

She added: “It is giving people a sense of hope, belonging and celebration.”

The event was hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield Breakfast presenter Ellie Colton. 

Iraqi-born, Firas Sharefy, who has been running Open Kitchen Social Club for over a decade won the local community award for the support he gives to asylum seekers, refugees and people living in poverty across Sheffield. 

He said: “At that time the media started talking about refugees and asylum seekers saying they come for benefits, they steal our jobs, so we created a refugee and asylum seeker action group where we did storytelling workshops and presented ourselves in a good way and told the stories of the culture and why we came to the UK.” 

Yuri Matischen who is the founder of basketball teams Sheffield Sharks and Sheffield Hatters, won the award for contribution to sport and said sport is in “Sheffield’s DNA”.

Cheriene Bailey, who also commended for her contribution to education, has taught dance in Sheffield for over 50 years and expressed how rewarding it is to see students become professional ballerinas or perform on the West End. 

She said: “We’ve had lots of success but also I’ve been very keen on high standards, but also I’ve been very much a friend and mentor to thousands of children and students.”

Winning the award for contribution to culture is Jerry Cheung for his role in organising the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Sheffield over the last 20 years.

He said: “Everything I do is motivated by my passion.”

Mr Cheung first moved to Sheffield in 1975 and shared his love for the city saying his favourite part is the people. 

He said: “There are not many places or cities or countries where the person in front of you will hold the door open for you and in Sheffield you get that.” 

Award winners included:

• Outstanding Contribution to Local Community Winner – Firas Sharefy

• Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Science – Sustainability Connects

• Outstanding Contribution to the promotion of Arts, Music & Culture – Jerry Cheung DL

• Outstanding Contribution to Local Sport – Yuri Matischen

• Outstanding Contribution to Education – Cheriene Bailey

• The Young Hero – Leah Walton

The winners were chosen by an independent judging panel, made up of sponsors and individuals, including representatives from Sheffield United community group, Sheffield Wednesday community foundation and Voluntary Action Sheffield.