EMOTIONS ran high last night (15) as unsung community heroes were recognised at a special reception, after months of searching.

For the inaugural Agilisys H&F Heroes Awards, the Chronicle and Hammersmith and Fulham Council teamed up to find the unsung people in the borough who go the extra mile to help others.

Nominations in five categories flooded in from you, our readers, for contenders for Young Achiever, Crime-Fighter, Charity Worker, Entrepreneur and The X Factor.

Held at Hammersmith Town Hall, the first winner of the night was community stalwart and footballing champion Bill Cox who picked up the Charity Worker award.

For the past 30 years Bill has been a familiar face to youngsters in the area thanks to his involvement with the Sunday morning children's five-a-side league at Lillie Road rec.

Not only content with coaching generations of residents he's also involved with the Fulham Community Partnership Trust, helping the more deprived residents in the north Fulham area gain training, employment and housing, and is on the board of H&F Credit Union Limited, which offers financial services to residents, as well as being a member of the Friends of Normand Park.

After receiving his award, the 65-year-old, said: "It’s very humbling for me because I feel like it belongs to all the other people I’ve worked with.

"Over the years I’ve coached children, parents and even grandparents and that’s a nice feeling.

"We live in such an interesting and diverse borough and one of the things that I love about football is that it doesn’t matter if you can’t speak the language, goal is goal in every country, you’ve just got to be able to kick a ball.

"Life has been kind to me so it’s great to give something back."

The runners up were Iwona Macalka, founder of educational charity Pencils For All and women's rights campaigner, Rasheda Ashanti.

The winner in each category received a trophy, certificate and gift voucher.

The two runners up also received certificates and gift vouchers.

The evening took a sombre turn as the Crime-Fighter award was presented posthumously to the family of Piotr Mikiewicz, the H&F binman who paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was stabbed trying to stop a burglar in Rylett Road, Shepherd's Bush last year.

His killer Roger Buckingham was jailed for life earlier this year. During his trial, Judge Brian Barker praised the 30-year-old husband and father, calling him a brave and exceptional man who went beyond the call of duty when he ignored his own safety.

Accepting the award for Piotr's wife, Busie.

She said: "For me to pick up an award on behalf of my husband is a great honour.

"He was a compassionate man who loved the community and it’s wonderful to see that his community loved him."

The runners up were Neighbourhood Watch coordinators Lance and Sue Pierson and police panel chairman Keith Ealey.

Talented and inspirational teenagers were recognised in the Young Achiever award, which was given to Latymer Upper School student Tara Thakkar.

The 17-year-old joined the St John Ambulance just under three years ago and has since been named London’s cadet of the year for her first aid work and contribution to the community.

She also set up the Youth Board to improve the community and local area for young people.

She said: "It's an incredible experience and I am humbled, especially listening to the achievements of the other people nominated.

"I do this because when we attend sporting events as cadets I see other youngsters volunteering their time. It's so inspiring to see so I do it for them."

The runners up were charity fundraiser and White City resident Charlie Gregory and Youth Parliament member Fred Gill.

The Entrepreneur award went to a Shepherd’s Bush model who decided to launch a business after being made homeless on the streets of Mumbai.

Despite gracing the catwalks of Bangalore and Dubai, Kim Calera was on her own in the Indian city after her relationship with her contractors turned sour.

After managing to get enough for a flight, she then came up with the idea to launch her own business and Calera Jewellery was born.

She said: "I didn't expect to win so it's been an emotional evening. It's such an honour just to be nominated, I hope that this now provides inspiration for a bigger and better event next year."

The runners up were Emily Goodall, whose company BundleBean offers multi-use travel cars to fit buggies, car seats and more, and Donna Bellamy who owns Fulham florist Heaven Scent.

For his tireless fundraising, which has included jumping out of a plane at 12,000 ft, 84-year-old Ralph Land was awarded The X-Factor prize.

Since the death of his wife Jacqueline to pancreatic cancer in 2010, Ralph has raised a staggering £450,000 for the pancreatic cancer lab at Hammersmith Hospital.

This included taking part in a skydive with his identical twin brother Frank, to mark the first anniversary of Jacqueline's death in 2011, which also happens to be their birthday.

The Fulham resident, said: "I think the whole concept of inspirational people who are doing things for society is marvellous. It showed with the quality of the nominations so this is a very good idea.

"I’m inspired by everyone in this room. We’re all trying to do something and I’m amazed, humbled and very proud. We all deserve to be winners."

The runners up were Emma Hutchinson, founder of The Music House for Children and teenage swimming sensation Isabella Hindley.

The evening was brought to a close by editor of the Chronicle, Adrian Seal.

He said: "We’re delighted to have been part of tonight. This is the first time we’ve run these awards and tonight it showed what a success it’s been. Everyone is a winner, just to be nominated is a tribute and a testament to everyone here.

"We’ve set the foundations for what I’m sure will become a successful annual event and as the local newspaper we are part of the community and we will support Agilisys and Hammersmith and Fulham Council as these awards grow."

Thanks to Hammersmith and Fulham Council, Agilisys, Fulham Broadway Shopping Centre, Specsavers Fulham, Hammersmith Broadway Shopping Centre, Horton & Garton Estate Agents and Sid’s of Fulham Palace Road, who donated the trophies.