Outstanding people had their achievements and contributions to the community rewarded at Derbyshire County Council’s first Excellence in the Community awards.

The authority hosted the prestigious ceremony at the Devonshire Dome in November to honour individuals, groups, businesses, voluntary groups and charities that are making a difference to the lives of others.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council and politician, journalist and author Roy Hattersley made the presentations.

Awards recognised achievements in five categories;

– fundraising for good causes

– volunteering in the community

– protecting Derbyshire’s environment

– helping make Derbyshire a safer place to live, work and visit

– improving life by helping create closer, caring and active communities

– promoting Derbyshire through sporting, musical, academic or artistic success.

Councillor John Williams, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We are very lucky to have a whole army of volunteers, fundraisers and committed groups and individuals working hard in our communities.

Every day they go the extra mile to make life better for us all by raising money, looking after our environment and helping others to stay safe.

We wanted to celebrate their fantastic successes and thank them for the difference they make to local life.”

Hundreds of people and groups were nominated for the awards, which were open to anyone over 18 years old. The 88 winners from across Derbyshire received certificates and glass trophies.

The team citation read:

For the past 43 years Buxton Mountain Rescue Team has provided a search and rescue service, saving lives of countless people in some of the most wild and remote places in the county. The team is a registered charity and all members are volunteers, on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Last year the team attended 65 incidents, helping 69 people to safety, working over 2,200 hours. The team works with police and ambulance services, together with other agencies. Throughout the year the 53 team members take part in thousands of hours of training.