THIS is the second in our series of articles about the upcoming Place to be Proud of Awards, where we speak to some of last year’s award winners and how being nominated and winning has helped them.

The Gazette spoke to Carly King, who won the Special Judge’s Award at last year’s ceremony, on behalf of the family behind the fundraising campaign Ready Emmy Walk, which touched the heart of the community.

More than £100,000 was raised in seven months to help Emmy King, who was unable to walk after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia in July 2015. She required surgery in America in order to walk, and thanks to the money that was generously given by Basingstoke residents, Emmy is now able to walk and even more.

Speaking to The Gazette, Carly said: “It was really wonderful to be nominated, everyone who was there really deserved the award as well, and our thanks go to everyone who helped us. It felt lovely to have the campaign recognised, I really didn’t expect it.

“It showed off the community spirit that we have here, and people were all joining in, taking up challenges to help out.

“Emmy is now 16 months postsurgery, and is walking on her own, on a trampoline, and riding a scooter unassisted. She is managing to do things that she couldn’t before.”

However, something that seems like such a normal event in a child’s life, starting school, would have been difficult before, but Emmy, who is now four-years-old, is looking forward to beginning.

Carly added: “She will be starting at Old Basing Infant School this year, and we are so excited, it is like her ultimate dream to go to school and join her older sister.

She is really excited to start, and we are excited for her. She has a very busy life, with lots of physio still happening, but she is coping well.”

The deadline for nominations for this year’s awards is fast approaching, and Carly is encouraging people to get involved and get nominating. Carly said: “I would definitely recommend that people get involved, it’s a wonderful opportunity to nominate someone who might not get the recognition that they deserve.

“It is a really inspirational evening, and it shows the amazing things that are happening in Basingstoke that you might not know about. Being nominated or winning can be life-changing, so get nominating.”

This year, The Gazette is sponsoring a new award, the Volunteer of the Year award, which will be given to a volunteer or group of volunteers who have given their time and skills to help the community.

Closing date for the nominations is March 23, and they can be made online at destinationbasingstoke.co.uk.