A BAREFOOT holy man, who has dedicated his life to helping the poor, homeless and drug addicted, has won the top prize in our Pride in our People Awards 2011.

Guru Singh, who was nominated by a Southall police chief and many local people for his selfless work for over 20 years, won the Community Champion category and Star of West London award, a total of £1,000 which he plans to put towards a new Food Bank for Ealing.

Overcome with emotion Guru, 65, said: "I didn't expect to win one award, let alone two. I am so pleased but more humbled and grateful that my work is so appreciated."

Insp. Rob Bryan, from Southall police, who nominated him, said: "Guru Singh offers clothes and food to those who have nothing. He helps those who come to the UK hoping for something better but who become trapped in a cycle of poverty. He is seen by many who puts all his time and energies into helping those less able to look after themselves."

This was the eighth year that the Pride in our People awards, held at at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Ealing Common last Thursday (16) have been jointly run by the Gazette and Leader and the University of West London.

The winners of the four other categories were: Carl Benjamin (My Hero), Jake Anderson (Young Person), Mary Williams (Key Worker) and London Footwear (Business). They each received £500 and a stunning glass trophy.

Ealing and Acton MP Angie Bray, was so impressed with the winners she has invited them to the House of Commons.

To resounding applause the winners were revealed by our guest celebrity, TV presenter Angellica Bell, who was accompanied by her husband Michael Underwood, who starred twice in Skating on Ice. Angellica, who's father is Ealing Council leader Julian Bell, thanked the Gazette and university for inviting her. She said: "I am amazed at all the great things people do. Well done for all your achievements. You might not think someone notices, but someone does. I am from Ealing and am proud to be from this area. It's shaped me to be the person I am."

Prof Kathryn Mitchell, the university's pro vice chancellor(Academic and Student Services) said: "It's a great honour and privilege to welcome you to this very special occasion. We are extremely proud this is the eighth joint venture for hosting these awards and we want to acknowledge Lynn Grimes for her contribution for the last eight years."

Clare Beckett, head of student recruitment, thanked the sponsors of the prizes: St George, currently building Dickens Yard in Ealing Broadway, Hunter Lodge, university advertising agent and the Impact Group, university shuttle bus provider.

Adrian Seal, editor of the Ealing Gazette and Leader, said: "Pride in our People is about focusing on the unsung heroes in the community who otherwise would not receive the recognition they so richly deserve for some truly remarkable feats and achievements. It was not an easy task for our judging panel selecting the finalists as there were many wonderful nominations. Not everyone can be an outright winner, but just by being here tonight makes all of our finalists a hero in their own right and they can justifying feel proud of their achievement in being nominated.

"The Gazette sees itself as the voice of the community, dedicated to delivering the news and views which matter to our readers each week."

Angie Bray said: “I feel very proud that there are such brilliant people of such a high calibre in my constituency.

“I thought one way I could show my respect and pride in everything they have achieved is to invite them to the house of commons for a tour and to sit down and have a cup of tea because I want to find out more about everything they do.”

The finalists, their families and friends and VIPs from across West London, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Ealing, Cllr John Gallagher and  Pauline Melson, police chiefs, politicians and community leaders gathered in their finery for what has become a pivotal event in the Gazette calendar.

Tension mounted as the six-month campaign to find West London's unsung heroes finally came to an end. The sterling work of each finalist was revealed on screen in true Oscar-style as Clare Beckett and Adrian Seal alternately read out their achievements before Angellica opened the gold envelope to reveal each winner.

For the first time the runners-up in the Young Person category: Ella Bolton and Rupert Belsham were presented with iPODs and Kay Larkin, who nominated the children's nursing team from Ealing Hospital received £150 after being drawn out of a nominators' hat. Kay, Ealing hospital's child health services manager, said she would spend the money on the kids and staff.

Angellica, who announced for the first time publicly that she is now "eating for two," was presented with a cut glass crystal vase.

The Gazette and Leader and University of West London would like to thank everyone who made this event worthwhile including the musicians: the Steve Corley Trio, sponsors and Ramada Jarvis Hotel. Most of all it would like to thank you, the readers, for giving our unsung heroes a chance to have their turn in the spotlight.

Please click here to see a gallery of the Pride in our People awards 2011.