MEMBERS of the public who go out of the way to help others in their community have been recognised for their hard work.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Angel of the North landmark, BBC North-East and Cumbria searched to find the region's real 'Angels of the North'.

Locals were asked to nominate someone they know who has made a difference in their area and a list of 20 individuals were announced for each year of the landmark's anniversary.

Included in the list is former Mayor of Darlington and Councillor for Heighington and Coniscliffe ward, Gerald Lee, who was nominated for his environmental campaigns and work with the elderly.

His work includes speaking to over 13,000 children about the consequences of dropping litter and organising bus trips for the elderly to local supermarkets

He said: "It was quite a nice surprise, I was a bit nonplussed at first. There’s thousands of people in Darlington that volunteer and I’m sure they all would say they don’t do it for the image, it’s something you just do."

Also nominated was 81-year-old Dorothy Bowman, from Newton Aycliffe, who has been working to make opportunities for people in her community.

Despite suffering from breast cancer a few years ago, she continued to support others by setting up a community for dementia sufferers and delivering food to her local area twice weekly.

She said: “I’m pleased that I’ve got the award. I don’t do it to get my name out there, I do it because if someone doesn’t then the people will get nothing.

“If I see my work helps people then that give me my passion to do it. I work hard to make sure that what it is I’m doing comes to a fruitful end.”

Receiving 15 different nominations is Gaynor Williams, from Darlington, who set up Way Up - an online forum providing support for widows and widowers over the age of 50 - after losing her husband in 2009.

The 20 Angels of the North were recognised in a gathering at the Angel of the North site in Gateshead yesterday.

Phil Roberts, Head of BBC North East and Cumbria said: “Our wonderful Angels of the North have been selected in recognition of their selflessness and their dedication to helping others. They all make a huge difference to people’s lives with their acts of kindness and the remarkable work they carry out in their communities.”

The full list of Angels is:

  • Pat Simpson from Northumberland who runs a café that raises money for local charities;

  • Kirsty McGurrell from Sunderland who founded charity 4Louis;

  • Lisa Scott from Sunderland who looks after and finds new homes for rescue dogs;

  • Gaynor Williams from Darlington who set up and runs a digital support group for people widowed at a young age;

  • Rola Naeb, an outreach worker in Newcastle who works with the Syrian community;

  • Callum Carr, an anti-bullying campaigner from South Tyneside;

  • Harry Steel, an 11-year-old fundraiser from North Tyneside who raises awareness for charities following the death of his father and uncle;

  • Colin Bergin-Plews, a breast cancer charity fundraiser from South Tyneside known for running the Great North Run in a big pink dress;

  • Sandra Barber from Sunderland who founded a martial arts club to help homeless young people;

  • Shaun McKay, a coastguard volunteer and community first responder from Northumberland;

  • Marie Blyth from Blyth a support group worker with Teardrop, which supports families through the death of a baby;

  • Dorothy Bowman, a community worker from Newton Aycliffe who helps both young and old;

  • Gerald Lee, an environmental campaigner from Heighington who also visits local elderly and vulnerable people;

  • Ann Walsh, a charity campaigner from South Tyneside and chairperson of the annual Jarrow Relay for Life event;

  • Brenda Price, a community worker from Chester le Street who helps those in need in her community;

  • Muriel Tully from Sunderland who has been organising the Wearmouth Colliery reunion for 25 years;

  • Christine Deponio from Gateshead who has opened her home to cancer patients and their families, and provides them with holiday homes in Weardale;

  • Christine Kyle, a nurse from Gateshead who has continued to work during her treatment for cancer;

  • Steve Price, a teacher from South Shields who has ensured a deceased student’s family has remained part of the school community;

  • Glenda Burton, a foster carer from Cumbria who has taken care of nearly 100 children.