In all 17 community, voluntary and sports clubs received awards which were presented by Melton Mayor Mal Sheldon, Young Mayor Tom North and Deputy Young Mayor Adam Culley.

The awards, now in their fourth incredible year, have seen Ragdale support 83 community projects to the tune of £42,000 and counting.

David Hamdorff, managing director of Ragdale Hall, congratulated all those who entered. He said: "I've lived in the area for 15 years but until we embarked on Make It Happen I'd never realised just how much good work goes on in our community and how vital it is."

Mr Sheldon added: "You work selflessly and ask for nothing but it's very clear to me that you make a huge contribution to life in the borough and your work is deeply appreciated by the council."

Michael Cooke, editor of the Melton Times, thanked Ragdale for its continued and generous support. "One of the great benefits of Make It Happen is that volunteers can now put even more energy into what they do best. Hearing their stories is both humbling and inspiring."

The winners were:-

Fairmead U13 Youth Club £500

Valefest (Vale of Belvoir festival of Live Music) £500

Melton Furniture Project £500

Syston Town Cricket Club £450

The Alzheimer's Society for Melton borough £700

Melton Victorian Christmas Fair £500

St John Ambulance Cadets £600

Residents Action Group Egerton £500

Melton Child Contact Cebtre £500

Contact (Voluntary Action Melton) £600

Melton Cricket Club £500

Pablos Horse Sanctuary £400

Melton Breast Cancer Support £300

The Melton Project (respite care) £450

Melton Netball Club £500

Dove Cottage Day Hospice £1,000

Loros (Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice) £1,500