HIDDEN heroes are being sought for a night of celebration as the Pride of Redditch awards return.
Rebecca Blake, a borough councillor and Labour’s Parliamentary spokeswoman for Redditch, is once again running the awards to honour those people who make a difference to the town or the lives of residents but often get overlooked.
The Redditch and Alcester Standard is once again sponsoring the awards which recognise not only those who go above and beyond the call of duty every day but also those small acts of kindness that go unnoticed.
The awards were held for the first time last year and saw more than 60 people nominated. A panel of judges spent two days selecting 26 worthy individuals and groups to be recognised as the pride of the town.
Darren Veness was among last year’s winners and was honoured for changing lives through his work with the YMCA.
He said: “I was very humbled by it all and very proud to be standing amongst so many hard working people.
“It’s a great event which allows local people to shine and be recognised for what they do and I’d urge people to make a nomination.”
This year the awards will again be looking for stories of individual generosity, bravery and kindness but also those from community groups and businesses which make a contribution to the life of the town. Last year’s winners are eligible to be nominated again.
Ms Blake said: “This is all part of raising pride in our town and much more of it is needed.
“Redditch has had a bumper year of charitable giving and I would particularly like to receive nominations for those working hard to raise money for charity because these people are too often not commended for their actions.
“Last year the people of Redditch made the Pride of Redditch Awards a huge success and I am sure they will do so again.”
The winners will be officially recognised as part of a Christmas celebration at South Redditch Social Club in Greenlands on Friday, December 12 at 7pm. The event will also raise money for the Spectrum Club, run by the Your Ideas project in Matchborough which supports young people on the autistic spectrum.
Standard editor Ian Dipple added: “Last year was a magnificent celebration of all the amazing good work which happens in Redditch. We look forward to uncovering even more of the borough’s unsung heroes this year.”
Nominations can be made by filling in the form on page six and posting it to Pride of Redditch Awards, Redditch Standard, Webb House, Church Green East, B98 8BP or by email to [email protected] with the name of the person nominated, the reason for nominating them and your contact details, including a daytime telephone number.
Closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, November 14.
