The eight winners were nominated by 74 organisations. The judging panel was chaired by Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang, the chairman of the MTR Corporation and former minister for commerce and economic development.

“Granted that it is easier said than done. But the winners and nominees of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards have shown us that it can be done,” Ma said, via video link on Friday.

Since 2003, the fluent Cantonese speaker has been writing a Cantonese-English dictionary to make the local language more accessible to English speakers.

He hoped to stop the trend of a shift from Cantonese to Mandarin, especially in terms of educating the younger generation.

“That is going to have an impact on the future development of Cantonese,” Bauer said.

“I am documenting the language because some think Cantonese is in danger.”

The theatre produces performances by disabled actors to express themselves and the difficulties they’ve been through.

South China Morning Post CEO Gary Liu said the awards, now in their fifth year, shared the stories of the unsung heroes who extended a helping hand to those in need, who found no excuses in adversity and who have fought to preserve the city’s unique culture and heritage.

“I truly believe that the highest honour that each of us could bestow on you tonight, is the promise to remember and share your stories, and to let them guide us to action and change in our own lives,” Liu said.

The prison chaplain has been running an anti-drugs campaign since 2013 and has been posting online letters written by convicted drug mules to appeal to loved ones back home not to follow in their footsteps.

Liu thanked Sino Group for its support for the awards over the past five years.