Inspirational Bristol people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty

Some saved lives, some showed great bravery, others had gone to extraordinary lengths for charity.

As well as this year's Gold Star winner, young Lucy Tutton, there were 10 other inspirational people honoured at yesterday's event at the Bristol city centre Marriott hotel opposite Castle Park.

After being welcomed by actors Kara Tointon and Joe Swash, currently appearing in Snow White at the Hippodrome, all the winners enjoyed a Christmas dinner with their families. They then received a special Bristol Blue Glass goblet and a framed Evening Post front page as they went on stage.

One of the award-winners turned out to be even more of a hero than anyone realised.

Ian Cooper, 44, of Knowle, won the special Ken Thorkildsen award. He had stopped his bus in Union Street when he spotted a young woman collapse, then began to give her CPR, a technique he had only learned the night before.

But when Ian was on stage to receive his award from ex-England international and Bristol Rugby player Mark Regan, he revealed that was not the only remarkable happening that week. He said: "The next day, I was driving the number 75 when I spotted a pram in the middle of the road and two women fighting over a child. I stopped the bus, and someone said one of them was trying to snatch the baby. I grabbed the baby, gave it to someone on the bus to look after and called the police – it turned out one of the women was trying to steal the baby from its auntie. When I heard I had won the award, I thought it was for that!"

The award is presented each year to an employee of the ceremony's sponsors, First, made in memory of much-loved First manager Ken Thorkildsen who died four years ago.

Another first-aider who won an award this year was Val Laing, a 48-year-old shop worker from Thornbury. She was working at Marks & Spencer at Cribbs Causeway when she was told a 75-year-old man had collapsed with a heart attack.

Former army nurse Val began chest compressions and for more than five minutes gave him the kiss of life. Suddenly the man gasped and began to breathe, and was taken to the BRI, where he recovered.

Val, given her award by broadcaster Alastair Hignell, said: "Everyone tells me what I did was great, but I think I did what anyone would have done. The man has been back in to see me several times and is doing well. Everyone at work calls me Doc now!"

Ruth Fowler was presented with her second Gold Star Award 10 years after she was honoured for her bravery after a dog attack. The 14-year-old has undergone five operations and 50 different procedures in the last decade to repair the damage to her face and head. Ruth was presented with her award alongside her surgeon Antonio Orlando, who has carried out each of her operations and gone beyond the role of a surgeon to remove stitches and put on dressings.

The teenager attended the awards lunch with friends and family and went up on stage with Mr Orlando to receive her prizes from presenter Sherrie Eugene and Bristol City manager Gary Johnson.

Ruth said: "It is amazing to have this now that everything is over and really good that I had my award together with Mr Orlando. He deserves it."

Consultant plastic surgeon Mr Orlando said: "It is quite flattering to receive this award, even if it is for doing my job. It is definitely good to see Ruth celebrating."

Pensioner John Wilkins was given a Gold Star after raising more than £120,000 for Bristol Children's Hospital. John, 78, of Clevedon, is a former paratrooper. During the past 11 years he has taken part in 25 parachute jumps and has also done bungee jumping, abseiling and white water rafting. He also spends mornings at the children's hospital selling raffle tickets, and he spent most of yesterday's ceremony trying to recruit new sky divers.

John, presented with his award by broadcaster Chris Serle, said: "It is very nice to be recognised. I think everyone here is excellent – the younger ones especially."

Lesley McMahon, of Westbury-on- Trym, has worked tirelessly for an animal charity despite suffering a brain tumour and a host of other health problems.

She has worked for the past 10 years as a volunteer for National Animal Sanctuaries Support League, co-ordinating the charity's re-homing work in Bristol and the South West. The 62-year-old also helps out in the charity's shop in Lawrence Weston.

Mrs MacMahon, who attended the ceremony with her husband Leslie, was presented with her award by TV presenter Jed Pitman.

She said: "I am absolutely thrilled to bits to be here. I never expected anything. But I couldn't do any of it without my husband, he has been a brick for me all these years."

Ten-year-old Cody Walker was honoured for his courage and bravery in battling a rare form of cancer. The youngster, of Knowle, was diagnosed with a form of the bone cancer Ewing's Sarcoma in January 2008. Cody underwent 15 cycles of chemotherapy and had a metal kneecap and leg bone fitted but throughout his treatment the youngster remained positive.

Richie Hargreaves of the Bristol Pitbulls ice hockey team presented his award, along with a team shirt with his name on it. The players also had a whip-round to present Cody with a gift from the team.

Cody said: "It was good to go up and get my award. I had a good afternoon."

He was joined at the ceremony by dad Jeremy, mum Sarah, sister Brittany and brother Jed.

Mrs Walker said: "Cody definitely deserves his award, although so does everyone else here. He has always been such a positive chap and has such courage. Hopefully we are at the end of it now."

Michael Meehan became the first person posthumously awarded a Gold Star. The father-of-four from Filton died when he prevented his JCB digger from colliding with traffic.

He was driving the digger down Bridge Valley Road in the rain when he rounded a bend and spotted a row of queuing cars ahead. Michael knew he could not stop in time and feared he would plough into the back of the cars, injuring or killing people.

Michael, 53, turned away but then went over the edge of the cliff and plunged 100 feet to the carriageway below.

Representing him were his widow, Jenny, daughters Rosie, Sammi and Kelly and his son, Brendan.

Brendan, 12, went on stage to collect the award from former X Factor contestant Marisa Billitteri. He said: "I am very proud to receive this award for my dad."

The family took Michael's award to leave on his grave at Almondsbury Cemetery and Jenny said: "He would have loved it."

Arthur Gadd, 56, won his award for trying to stop knife-wielding robbers raiding a convenience store.

Father-of-two Mr Gadd, of Portishead, tried to restrain one of the robbers at the White Cot Stores in St Peter's Road and gave chase. Arthur noted the registration number and officers later arrested the suspects on the M5 at Cribbs Causeway.

The Royal Mail lorry driver, presented with his award by comedian Eddie Large, said: "I was shocked when I won the award but it is nice to be here. I would do the same again, and I would hope that others would too."

Sadly another winner, Clive Daniels, was not able to be at the awards in person. Clive, 63, of Yate, was named as a winner for raising more than £100,000, mostly for Macmillan nurses, by running the London Marathon 13 times and the Bristol Half Marathon three times.

But last weekend Clive contracted swine flu and developed pneumonia, and is currently receiving treatment at Frenchay Hospital.

A message from his wife explaining his absence was played to the audience, before Bristol Rovers players Ben Hunt and Charlie Clough presented the award to Lord Mayor Chris Davies, acting on Clive's behalf.

Justin Davies, managing director of First Bristol, Somerset and Avon, which sponsored the awards for a sixth year, said the past 12 months had been difficult for many people in Bristol because of the recession.

"But despite all of this, hard- working, normal people – and particularly those people we're here today to celebrate – have continued to work hard, making a difference and, in doing so, they've brightened everyone else's lives. We thank them for that.

"I'm personally delighted to celebrate the achievements of these 11 people – among them one of our own employees – a bus driver who tried to save the life of a passer-by."

Dawna Stickler, managing director of Bristol News and Media, said: "This is a fantastic event. The Gold Star awards have once again proven to be a real highlight in the Evening Post calendar. Strength of character, determination and a real sense of kindness are the key elements, as always."