PRIDE OF THE ISLE AWARDS: Read the finalists' stories

The Pride of the Isle committee, headed by Leesa Sharpe, had the task of selecting inspirational winners within a number of categories for awards to recognise virtues such as courage, selflessness or care in the community.

To take place at Doncaster Racecourse on February 3, the fifth awards night will be hosted by Craig Phillips with live music from the X Factor’s Faye Horne. Tickets and corporate tables are available via the charity’s website.

The charity was formed five years ago to support children and families facing difficulties, and to help create happy memories.

The finalists are as follows, along with their stories:

Male category

Paul Verrico

Less than a year after losing his wife Anna to cancer, volunteer-run charity Team Verrico was launched by Paul, aiming to help families facing a cancer diagnosis to get a second opinion.

Second opinions mean families can get the best treatment possible.

Team Verrico also offers the practical help and emotional support families need and funds cutting-edge research into rare and hard to treat cancers.

None of the work Team Verrico does would have been possible without Paul.

He has worked tirelessly since his wife’s death to make the charity the huge success that it is.

Hundreds of people have benefited from the charity’s services and several of them have been given more tomorrows.

Paul plays an active role in the charity, organising events and taking part in fundraisers; the latest being Athens Marathon.