From start to finish, this year's Community Champions showed what's so great about Derby. Joey Severn went along.
JOSEPH Cooper has twice fought cancer, had more than 100 blood transfusions, undergone a bone marrow transplant and been in intensive care four times.
He is 13.
Joseph was wheeled on to the stage at Derby's Pride Park Stadium last night at the end of what was an extraordinary evening.
Before him, 13 other winners took to the stage and told 140 people in the Toyota Suite their amazing life stories.
And Joseph, who was awarded the Achieving Against the Odds award, showed exactly what makes him such an incredible young man.
After hearing him speak, it was no surprise that there was a standing ovation.
Joseph told BBC Radio Derby's Andy Potter, who was master of ceremonies: "It's a big honour for me that I don't feel like I deserve. I just get on with it, that's all I can do.
"To me, this is all I have got to do. It's either that or the other thing. You take it day by day and see what happens."
Dad Mark, himself battling cancer for a sixth time, said: "We are in our sixth year of Joseph's disease. He doesn't cry or whinge, he just gets up and gets on with it.
"There have been five occasions where we have nearly lost him but he just keeps on fighting. That's why we call him Cooper trooper.
"Everybody says to him, 'Is your dad your inspiration?' but it's the other way round – he is my inspiration."
Mark wanted to thank the people of Derby who had helped the family.
He said: "We get such support from Derby and the community. I am so proud to be part of Derby."
And mum Tracy, who at times has had to nurse both her boys, said: "We make a great team, but it takes over your life.
"With Mark and Joseph being ill, it has been hard. One would be on one sofa and another would be on the opposite, but we just have to keep going."
Roger Davies, a Derby County legend, gave Joseph his award. He said: "He is an inspiration. He keeps fighting through it.
"He is phenomenal, he has supported charities that have helped him. He is incredible."
The awards seek to celebrate the unsung heroes who do not seek the limelight but change people's lives every day.
Another of these people was John Delaney.
After finding himself at a "loose end", John ended up working to rescue teenage prostitutes, ran youth clubs and chaired community groups.
He received the Great Neighbour award. He said: "It's just something you do.
"You get involved and try to help people. I think sometimes I maybe get involved too much."
Paul Bayliss, leader of Derby City Council, has seen at first hand the work that John has done in the Alvaston and Osmaston areas.
He said: "The council is always so happy to support these amazing awards.
"It is always great to be here to see the many people with inspirational stories.
"Being able to show our appreciation for these people who do such fantastic work is great.
"This really shows Derby at its best. It is always so humbling to see the stories and we have to really appreciate these people who do so much.
"It is a cliché but they are unsung heroes who really make Derby great."
The awards this year had titles ranging from Kindness to Animals to Going the Extra Mile.
Author Wendy Holden, awarded the Carer award to Jenny Smith.
Jenny cared for both her parents until they died, nursed her terminally-ill husband and now looks after her 104-year-old father-in-law.
Wendy said: "Jenny has cared for people her entire life and listening to her story is incredible.
"All the people here are amazing. It is wonderful to hear about them and I often feel very small in comparison to what they have done."
Diane Green, who walked away with the Be Inspiring award, has given her life to helping children in Alvaston.
She started off with the Girls' Brigade, but soon moved on to Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. She now runs a youth club.
She said: "It's fantastic to be awarded this. It's just brilliant. People like June, who nominated me, really inspired me."
The great and the good of Derby were at the event, including Judge John Burgess, Recorder for the city, who awarded Guy Upchurch for his work with a football team.
He said: "This is one the things that is a real pleasure for me.
"Instead of seeing the misery that so often passes before me, this is the positive side of our community.
"It gives me a huge thrill to be able to meet people like Guy and everyone else here."
Guy won the Diversity award for his work with the GAD Khalsa football team – changing a purely Indian team into one where all nationalities are welcome.
Guy said: "I spend all my time on it. It's all I do. It's about the kids and making sure they can play."
Champion swimmer Ross Davenport got to give an award to someone who has been close to his career.
He awarded Maureen Edwards, a coach for Erewash Valley Swimming Club, the Unsung Sporting Hero prize. They have known each other for many years. He said: "She has been there for the whole of my swimming life and has always been a friendly face.
"Without people like Maureen, I, and others like me, wouldn't be where we are."
Another great story was that of Lucyann Lee, the nine-year-old from Swadlincote, who has raised £4,500 for the British Heart Foundation after being diagnosed with a heart condition at birth.
Lucyann said: "I'm speechless. "There are so many people that jump out of planes and then there's me."
Sophie Jardine, who nominated Lucyann, said: "She is amazing."
