THE shortlist for The Journal's second Pride in the Community Awards has now been drawn up.Five independent judges met to sift through the 60 plus entries and had the tough decision of picking three nominees per category, who will be invited to the prestigious celebration on Monday, July 7.

THE shortlist for The Journal's second Pride in the Community Awards has now been drawn up.

Five independent judges met to sift through the 60 plus entries and had the tough decision of picking three nominees per category, who will be invited to the prestigious celebration on Monday, July 7.

Each finalist will be invited to the Wherry Hotel, at Oulton Broad, along with members of their family to the event.

Geraldine Bailey, who has been a stalwart in the community of Blundeston could be named Community Hero, along with Janet and David Barwick, who have been campaigning to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities, and John Pawsey, who has been instrumental in getting Olympic training in Lowestoft.

Ben McMillan, seven-year-old Lydia Davies, who has cerebral palsy with dyplegia, Hannah Richardson and Matthew Munro, 13, are invited as nominees for Inspirational Child of the Year, while the Kind Neighbour could be either Pauline and Bernie Smith, Christine Lawn or Alvin Thomas.

The Where the Heart category, which looks for someone who always puts others first, features Karl Belmore, Zoiyar Cole and Mary Knights and Remarkable Person could be either Billy Hansford, 15-year-old Claire Bonfield, or Lester Morse, who strives to help rehabilitate people who suffer with drug related problems.

Fadoo, the teenage credit union group from Denes High School could be named Entrepreneurs of the Year, or the title could be given to Hazel Johnson, or Emma Shilling, while Emma also features in our Business of the Year category with her company Hidden Treasures, as well as Jazos Cancer Shop, on London Road South, Lowestoft, and Southwold Post Office.

Postwoman Tania Ali from the Royal Mail sorting office at the North Quay Retail Park has been shortlisted as Employee of the Year, joining Clare Wyndham, who works at the Aspire Centre, in Lowestoft, and Glen Cone, of Spring, the Press, in Southwold.

Three teachers are in the running for the accolade for Teacher of the Year. They are Andrea Colley, headteacher of Kirkley Middle School, Teri Ward, of Old Warren House, and Keith Hunter, deputy head at Denes High.

There will also be an award given to the Pride in the Community Champion, someone that judges think deserve the highest recognition possible for the way in which they think of others.

The event is being sponsored by Pleasurewood Hills, who will be giving out awards and it will be compered by Journal editor Russell Cook.

Special guests will include last year's Pride in the Community Champion Janet Ellis, as well various local dignitaries.