Downham Market looks for its very own Heroes for new awards

Back in 2012, to celebrate the London Olympics, resident Frances Rayner organised the hugely successful Downham Sports Awards.

Now, with the support of the town council, and with sponsorship from the Downham Tandoori, Frances is organising the Downham Local Heroes Awards to celebrate the town’s unsung heroes.

The event is aimed at those people and organisations who work tirelessly to make the town the vibrant, caring and sustainable place it is, but who generally do so in the background and without any public recognition.

You will all know someone who “just gets on with things” or who runs a club or activity for the benefit of those who would otherwise miss out, or perhaps a good neighbour who is always on hand when needed; the list is exhaustive.

The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 31,in the Town Hall and nomination forms will soon be seen around the town and is today in the Lynn News (who are acting as media partners) so please put your thinking caps on and nominate those persons you feel deserve an award.

The form is also available on the DMTC website www.downhammarkettowncouncil.org.uk.

Organisers have identified 11 categories, and the winner of each will receive a trophy donated by a local business as will the overall winner.

The categories are Volunteer of the year, Young Volunteer of the year, Carer of the year, Young Carer of the year, Local Charity of the year, Sports Club of the year, Sports Person of the year, Young Sports Person of the year and Neighbour of the year.

There will also be an Environmental Award and an Overcoming Adversity Award for the individual or organisation that has excelled in these fields.

The judging panel will include representatives of the council, local businesses and youngsters and will meet after the Easter break to choose the winners and runners up in each category and also the overall “Winner of Winners” so get your nominations in early.