Chantelle is one of 67 local winners recognised by the local panel of the Halifax Giving Extra Awards. Nominated by family friend Iris Miller, Chantelle has gone above and beyond for the people in her community. Chantelle has worked voluntarily at Castle Special Needs School in Dunfane, volunteered in an orphanage in Morocco and fundraised tirelessly for breast cancer research, including taking part in a skydive for charity. Chantelle, 20, is studying for an English degree at Queen’s University, Belfast. She has also recently started to work in a local special needs school every Friday on a voluntary basis. Chantelle said: “It is lovely to be acknowledged, I wasn’t doing it be recognised but it is very nice to be noticed.” Awards ambassador, the television and Heart presenter Jenni Falconer, said: “Halifax Giving Extra Award winner, Chantelle truly deserves this recognition for all she has done to help others, improve community life and has made a real difference to the people living in Ballymena.” Halifax launched the Giving Extra Awards in November last year to celebrate the unsung heroes who are giving something back in their communities, whether that is through helping and supporting their community or going that extra mile for family and friends. Halifax branches received hundreds of nominations, which ranged from people who give up their time to help marginalised groups in their community – including young people at risk, those with addiction problems, older people and the homeless. To those who have overcome difficulties in their own lives and set up support groups for others who have family members with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, Down’s syndrome or strokes; as well as many terrific examples of inspiring individuals who regularly go the extra mile to raise money for local charities. David Nicholson, Director, Halifax Community Bank, said: “It was difficult to choose the 67 winners because we received so many incredible nominations. However, the work Chantelle has done for her community really caught our panel’s attention and we wanted to recognise her with this Halifax Giving Extra Award.” To celebrate the 67 local Giving Extra winners, Halifax has awarded each winner with vouchers worth £250. The 67 local winners will have a chance to become one of seven regional winners to represent their region. The seven regional winners will each be given £500 in vouchers and a £500 donation to a local good cause. The national winner of the Halifax Giving Extra Awards will be chosen from this seven and will be announced in February. They will be awarded vouchers worth £2,500 and a £5,000 donation to a local good cause of their choice.