ANOTHER of the gongs dished out was the Community Project award.

This year’s winners were Helping Hands for the Blind, which provides support and assistance for children and adults in Basingstoke and Hampshire borough who are blind or partially sighted.

Paul Friend, director of award sponsors Face TV, said: “Helping Hands for the Blind is a local life-enhancing charity supporting children and adults who are blind or partially sighted throughout Basingstoke and the adjacent Hampshire Boroughs.

“They provide services that empower visually impaired people to live more independently and achieve their true potential within their own community - which is so important and is a lifeline to many people.”

Chair of Helping Hands for the Blind, Dave Chatten-Smith, collected the award on the night. Afterwards, speaking to the Gazette, Dave said: “We were surprised to get the award, but it was great. We were really not expecting it at all. There were lots of other very worthy nominations, who are all good people and organisations.

“It is really nice to get the recognition, we don’t tend to shout about it, but now we know that the judges know that we are in the community.”

The organisation provides a multitude of services for people, including organising social events, helping with social services, provides counselling and many other services.

Dave added: “There is a whole list of services that we provide help with, and we are quite lucky to be able to continue with it. It’s all done with the help of our volunteers and trustees.

“We like to think that no problem is too small. Even if it is a lightbulb that needs changing, or they are having problems with their computer, we are available to help.

“The organisation has been going for six years now, and this is the first time that we’ve won an award.”

RUNNERS UP: M3 Job Club, Basingstoke Foodbank, and Ark Riders.