Category sponsors

• Carer of the year: J Barbour & Sons Ltd
  With a wardrobe of classic and contemporary garments for sporting pursuits, country and city living, Barbour clothing is truly fit for today's active lifestyle. Sold in 29 countries worldwide, the brand is renowned for quality, durability, fitness for purpose and attention to detail.
  www.barbour.com
• Child of courage: M I Dickson
  Dickson's Traditional Pork Butchers manufacture, retail and wholesale a wide range of meat and delicatessen food products from its factory base in South Shields. Products include cooked meats, fresh and cooked sausage, savoury pastries and famous regional delicacies such as saveloys, pease pudding and black puddings. As well as being available at its twenty shops and a number of national supermarkets, products are also supplied to schools, hospitals, caterers and sports stadiums across the region.
  www.midickson.com
• Community group of the year: South Tyneside Council for Voluntary Service
  South Tyneside Council for Voluntary Service (STCVS) is the umbrella organisation for the local voluntary and community sector. STCVS provides information, advice and support on any aspect of setting up or running a voluntary organisation or community group. The organisation also operates the local Volunteer Centre, which supports people who want to become involved in voluntary work by providing them with advice, information and training. The centre also recruits volunteers for local, regional, national and international organisations.
  www.southtynesidecvs.org.uk
• Good friend/neighbour: South Tyneside Homes
  South Tyneside Homes manages over 19,000 rented properties for South Tyneside Council. On a day-to-day basis this involves collecting rents, repairing and maintaining the properties, managing estates and allocating homes to applicants. The organisation is focused on the needs of tenants and leaseholders. They aim to put housing at the heart of South Tyneside and is currently working on improving all housing to a decent homes standard by 2013.
  www.southtynesidehomes.org.uk
• Greener South Tyneside: Northumbrian Water
  Northumbrian Water supplies water and waste water services to 2.6 million customers in the North East from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines. The water company is involved in community life throughout the region and protecting the environment is at the heart of all that the company does.
  www.nwl.co.uk
• Judges’ special award: Ford Component Manufacturing Limited
  Ford Component Manufacturing has been an employer in South Tyneside for 98 years. Originally staffed by four people with a single product - the brass corrugated steam joint - it now employs 185 members of staff and has annual sales of £10 million. The company has maintained its policy of employing mainly local residents.
  www.fordcomps.co.uk
• Role model of the year: Solar Solve Marine
  Solar Solve Marine manufactures SOLASOLV - the world’s leading brand of anti-glare roller screen for ships’ navigation windows. About 80% of products are exported to ship owners and ship yards all over the world, but mainly to China, Korea and Japan.
  www.solasolv.com
• Sporting excellence: Port of Tyne
  The Port of Tyne is a key business player in the region with navigational and conservancy responsibilities for 23 miles of the river Tyne. Its commitment to the local community is reflected in its active sponsorship and investment in life-enhancing initiatives for young people.
  www.portoftyne.co.uk
• Top achiever: South Tyneside College
  South Tyneside College is at the heart of the community and has a strong record of success. Students choose the college for its welcoming atmosphere, commitment to quality and for the opportunities it offers. The college helps individuals to meet their potential and fulfil their aspirations and is very proud of each student’s academic and personal achievements.
  www.stc.ac.uk
• Young performer(s) of the year (under 21s): Variable Message Signs Ltd
  Variable Message Signs Ltd is a world leader in driver information systems. The company designs, manufactures and installs messaging signs and traffic management systems that are a familiar feature of road networks in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands.
  www.vmslimited.co.uk

Sponsors in kind

• Siemens Transmission and Distribution
  Siemens Transmission and Distribution provides the technology to supply electricity from the UK's power stations into homes and businesses. It also delivers complete turnkey solutions and services, as well as products and systems, working with the UK's electricity companies.
  www.siemens.com/energy

For more information on this year's awards contact 0191 424 7358