Pride in the Community Awards

In association with Pleasurewood Hills

 

“This evening is to celebrate and recognise all those special unsung heroes and heroines in our community and gives us a chance to recognise those people who would not necessarily make the headlines."

Russell Cook, Editor

 

Who is the pride of our community?

THEY are the leading lights in our community and without them Lowestoft and Southwold would not be quite the same.

The Journal has once again teamed up with Pleasurewood Hills to reward those kind, selfless and hard-working people during our second annual Pride in the Community Awards to be held on Monday, July 7, at the Wherry Hotel, in Oulton Broad.

We are looking for inspirational characters who work quietly and modestly, helping others without expecting anything in return.

It might be a child who cares for an adult or who has battled a serious illness, a person who has put their neighbour's needs before their own, or a teacher who has made an incredible difference to school life.

All these people show integrity, compassion and good spirit and are the sort of people we want to recognise.

And now it's up to you to highlight these inspirational people with their own stories, so we can thank them.

After the success of last year's event, which named charity fundraiser Janet Ellis as Pride in the Community Champion, Des Reynolds as Teacher of the Year, and Joe Matthews as Remarkable Person of the Year, Russell Cook, editor of The Journal said he was looking for more outstanding individuals.

He said: “These awards are about those people who go that extra mile to help others or who have triumphed through adversity.

“This is a brilliant opportunity to reward people in our community who never get the recognition they deserve, those who have probably never been in the newspaper, but deserve a special mention.

“Have a look around you and choose an inspirational person to nominate; someone who has real pride in their community.”

Our sponsor Pleasurewood Hills, established in the early 1980s, is proud to have been part of the community for a quarter of a century as this year it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The tourist attraction is a key part of the region's heritage and sees the importance of passion and commitment to the local community in which it operates. It's this passion for the community which forms the essence of the awards.

Yves Delhommeau, general manager at the park in Leisure Way, Lowestoft, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Pride in the Community Awards for the second year running.

“As we found last year, there are some quite remarkable people in the Lowestoft and Southwold area who have some amazing stories worthy of recognition and reward.”

The premier theme park is well placed to put its name alongside these prestigious awards.

It has ambitious plans to develop the park for the future and relies heavily on its employees who number more than 150 at peak season whose mission is to go the extra mile in ensuring every visitor's experience is a special one.

The park also supports many local businesses who supply a range of goods and materials. This commitment to the economy and the people that live and work in the area will provide genuine value to the awards.

All shortlisted entrants will be contacted at the end of June and invited with members of their family to a lavish awards ceremony at The Wherry, which includes a three-course meal followed by the glittering awards ceremony.

To nominate someone for one of the nine categories listed on this page, fill in the entry form with the category of your choice, together with your name, address, daytime telephone number and if possible a recent photograph of that person. Please also include on a separate piece of paper why you think the person you are putting forward has pride in their community. Entries close on Monday, June 9, at 5pm.

Read about last year's winners and watch the slideshow

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM - JUST PRINT OUT AND FILL IN

The Categories

COMMUNITY HERO:

Do you know someone who always acts on behalf of the community they live in?

INSPIRATIONAL CHILD OF THE YEAR:

Can you think of a young person who has done something special or who has triumphed through adversity?

KIND NEIGHBOUR OF THE YEAR:

Does your neighbour go out of his or her way to help others, offering support or lending a hand?

REMARKABLE PERSON OF THE YEAR:

Do you know someone who has struggled to achieve something when times were tough?

WHERE THE HEART IS:

Who do you know who always puts other people first with their selfless attitude?

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:

Who is making a difference with a new idea in Lowestoft?

TEACHER OF THE YEAR:

Do you know a teacher who has made an incredible difference within school life?

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR:

Who is it in your workplace who gives you a reason to go in each day with their sunny nature and constant support?

LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:

Which business has made a real impact in the community this year?

PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION:

This award will go to a person who readers and our judges believe stands out from everyone else.

A shortlist will be made in late June, with the winner announced on the night of the awards.