IT was always going to be a difficult decision, but even judges were surprised by the quality and quantity of nominations for the most keenly-contested category of our Community and Environment Awards.
As judge Nick Johnston said: "It was really tough to narrow it down."
Halifax Charity Gala Committee, which provides a hub for dozens of individual charities to raise money through one combined event, and the well-loved Overgate Hospice were singl
ed out for lavish praise by the panel but still did not quite make the shortlist.
In the event it was some of the smaller but vital charities that Calderdale is fortunate to be home to which made it onto the shortlist.
Home Start Calderdale, which offers friendship, guidance and practical help to vulnerable families, was chosen to be among the runners because of its positive reputation among those it helps.
Judge Soo Nevison said: "The people love it because the work it does is brilliant. A lot of those it helps eventually become volunteers themselves."
Also on the shortlist will be St Augustine's Centre, Halifax, which deals with traumatised refugees, and Noah's Ark cafe and counselling centre, which dishes out sound community assitance and tasty snacks in equal measure from former pub premises in Ovenden, Haifax.
Judge Roger Wilson said: "They need and deserve recognition and deserve to be among the elite."
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