Tag: Local Heroes

Search for local heroes to help celebrate 25 years of the Scottish Parliament

A search for local heroes from communities across Scotland is underway as the Scottish Parliament announces plans for a special commemorative anniversary event to take place on Saturday 29 June.

Every Member of the Scottish Parliament is being asked to nominate one of their constituents who have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities, their local hero. They will be invited to attend the event on the Saturday 29 June alongside their MSP.

The event will mark almost 25 years to the day since the Scottish Parliament was officially opened on 1 July 1999.  Taking place in the Debating Chamber, the day will mark the achievements of the Parliament over the last 25 years as well as being a celebration of Scottish culture.

Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “As we prepare to mark 25 years of the first sitting of The Scottish Parliament, it reminds us of the significant political journey that the Scottish people have been on and the progress that’s been made since 1999.

“Our event in June is an opportunity for people from across Scotland to celebrate with us. To reflect on the role that MSPs and the Parliament have had over the past 25 years and the importance of continuing our commitment to our founding principles.

“A cornerstone of this commemorative event will be recognising the extraordinary contribution people from across Scotland make to their communities.

“I look forward to welcoming people from all over Scotland for a day of reflection and celebration.”

Local Heroes have taken part in the opening ceremonies of the Scottish Parliament in 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021.

To find out more about how you can be nominated to be a Local Hero please contact your MSPs

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The Forth Awards are back and looking for your local heroes!

The Forth Awards are back for its 17th year this June (23rd) to celebrate the local people who are making a difference across Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians.

After a short hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, The Forth Awards in partnership with St James Quarter, will be returning to Edinburgh’s Usher Hall this summer to recognise the contribution of local do-gooders across the regions.

Radio Forth listeners are being encouraged to vote for the individuals and organisations which they believe go the extra mile for their community, as well as their top pick of famous names and emerging talent.

This year’s ceremony will be like no other as nominees, celebrities and locals get together to mark the occasion for the first time since 2019.

Winners from previous years include teachers and selfless charity fundraisers and founders, as well as Wet Wet Wet who won the Contribution to Music Award in 2019, and Lewis Capaldi who collected the Rising Star Award in 2018 days before claiming the number one spot in the charts.

This year’s winners will be revealed on Thursday, 23rd June during a glittering awards ceremony in the magnificent surroundings of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. The event is one of the biggest in the capital and a surprise star-studded line-up of performances will be revealed on the day.

This year there are 10 awards, including the Local Hero Award, the Icon Award with The Edinburgh Playhouse and the Cash for Kids Award with Newton Decor.

Each category is individually sponsored and listeners nominate those that they feel are worthy of the awards.

Richie Jeffrey, Events & Marketing Manager, Radio Forth said: “Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians are packed full of people who do amazing and selfless things every day.

“Over the past few years, we have seen some magnificent examples of local communities pulling together to support those less fortunate, and we are ecstatic to get a chance to recognise and celebrate these achievements for the first time since 2019.

“The Usher Hall is, as always, the perfect space for this star-studded event – a big thank you to them and our sponsors at St James Quarter for their support in the return of the much missed Forth Awards.”

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “St James Quarter is excited to partner with The Forth Awards again this year.

“Throughout the development of St James Quarter and now in operation, we are proud to support the community of Edinburgh and are thrilled to celebrate with Radio Forth again on this special occasion.”

To nominate friends, colleagues and local businesses for The Forth Awards 2022 simply head to https://bit.ly/ForthAwards2022.

The complete list for The Forth Awards this year is as follows:

  • The Forth Charity Volunteer Award with Newtown Refurbishment
  • The Forth Best Teacher Award with Fuse
  • The Forth Cash for Kids Award with Newtown Decor
  • The Forth Best Artist Award with Victor Paris
  • The Forth Best Restaurant Award with Heritage Portfolio
  • The Forth Local Hero Award with The Edinburgh Evening News 
  • The Forth Contribution to Music Award with The Liquid Rooms
  • The Forth Icon Award with The Edinburgh Playhouse
  • The Forth Fringe Award with Multrees Walk
  • The Forth Visitor Attraction Award with Mediaworks

Prezzo pledges to feed thousands of vulnerable people and families on low incomes this Christmas

  • Prezzo and Feeding Britain are working together to bring platefuls to those who need it the most this Christmas. 
  • As part of the “Love Every Moment This Christmas” campaign, Prezzo is celebrating local heroes who have done outstanding work over the last year to give them a chance to create new memories with loved ones this Christmas

Hunger has no place in the 21st century. With research showing that 3 million children go hungry during the school holidays due to the loss of free school meals* and the additional financial pressure during the Christmas period, many can find it hard to relax and celebrate with loved ones during the festive period.

That’s why Prezzo has partnered with Feeding Britain, a leading charity that helps provide meals to vulnerable people and families on low income, to provide an additional 15,000 meals and create special moments for everyone this Christmas. 

To support the “Love Every Moment This Christmas” campaign, Prezzo and Feeding Britain are inviting everyone to get involved in two ways.

Firstly, you can nominate unsung heroes within your community who have done amazing things over the last 12 months and deserve to be celebrated. Maybe they delivered meals or helped raise vital funds, or they went above and beyond to help look after vulnerable people during the pandemic.

Simply visit https://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/christmas/heroes to nominate and share an inspiring story of someone special for their chance to receive VIP treatment at their local Prezzo with friends & family

If you’re not able to nominate a local hero, but would love to still show your support, you can visit https://feedingbritain.org/donations/prezzo/ to donate and help Feeding Britain and Prezzo provide more meals for vulnerable people in the UK – all from as little as £2!

Karen Jones, Chairman at Prezzo said “Last year, we didn’t get the chance to make Christmas memories with family, friends and loved ones. This year will be different. We’re delighted that this Christmas we will be able to welcome and celebrate with our customers! 

“That’s why we want to help bring our communities together and allow them to make new memories and love every moment. We’re delighted to be working with Feeding Britain to celebrate local heroes and to be raising vital funds for the incredible work that they do across the UK.”

Andrew Forsey, National Director at Feeding Britain says “We are enormously grateful to Prezzo for their generous support which will add massively to our ability to help families in need this Christmas.”

Local heroes to be celebrated at Holyrood opening ceremony

A shopkeeper from Edinburgh who raised money for her local community during the Covid-19 pandemic has been chosen by the Presiding Officer as her local hero who will attend Saturday’s opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament.

Linda Williams set up the coronavirus hardship fund at the Premier Broadway Convenience Store in Oxgangs. Having raised over £10,000 to help her local community, it helped hundreds of locals pay for essentials such as utility bills and food.

Linda will join other local heroes, selected by MSPs across the country, at the event on Saturday 2 October.  Those selected have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities either locally or nationally.

Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “Our local heroes initiative is all about celebrating people from across Scotland for their contributions to their communities throughout the pandemic and beyond.

“The many actions and achievements of those nominated are truly inspiring. So many of our local heroes have put others before themselves, for the good of others.

“I am proud the Scottish Parliament will recognise people like Linda and that our local heroes will play a part in our 2021 opening ceremony.”

Linda Williams said: “I am very happy to have been nominated, although I certainly wasn’t looking for any thanks or recognition.

“It has been such a hard 18 months for everyone, and I think we played a small part in making life a bit easier for our customers and neighbours by setting up a free same day delivery service and starting a hardship fund to help those who slipped through the cracks of the financial help that was available.

“Our community rose to the occasion magnificently; people were incredibly generous with their donations, and the whole experience became a shining light of hope during a hard time.”