Nationwide Search For Local Heroes
7th March 2008
Nationwide Building Society has teamed up with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to launch the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards 2008, inviting the public to nominate people or groups who deserve recognition for community or voluntary work that has made a real difference to people's lives.
Nominations for the very best and most inspirational volunteers in the UK can be made for a Community Champion for recognition for those who have made an impact in their local community. Nominations can also be for a Heritage Hero for recognition for those who have volunteered to become involved in saving a part of their heritage and sharing it with others.
The awards were previously known as the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour (NAYE) and had a very successful ten year history recognising over 13,000 people from across the country. The new Nationwide and HLF partnership will enable more unsung heroes to be recognised for their tremendous efforts as volunteers.
Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Des Browne believes that such awards are a terrific way to acknowledge local heroes.
Des Browne said:
"I was astonished to read in last week’s Kilmarnock Standard that a survey found that there is a lack of community spirit in East Ayrshire. This has certainly not been my experience during my time as the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun!”
Des added:
“Volunteers make a difference every day to life in our communities and they are hugely important to the nation as a whole. I would encourage the people of Kilmarnock and Loudoun to get their nominations in and prove that survey wrong."
Michelle Leighton, Nationwide's community & environmental affairs manager, said:
"Nationwide is immensely proud of the strong links it has with local communities. There are many people who volunteer their time on a regular basis to help support others. If you know of anyone who deserves recognition for their volunteering please make sure you nominate them. Together with the Heritage Lottery Fund we want to celebrate the efforts of these dedicated volunteers whilst widening the scope of these already successful awards."
Members of the public can obtain nomination forms by visiting www.nationwide.co.uk and www.hlf.org.uk. The closing date for nominations is Monday 28 April 2008. A series of regional events for short-listed nominations will be taking place up and down the country at a variety of heritage venues and will culminate with the final taking place in London during November 2008.
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