Local Hero Awards looking for inspirational teachers

Nominations are open for the Local Hero Awards. Picture; Jon Savage

Perhaps it’s a teacher that’s given your child extra support or an individual that gives up hours of their time to fundraise for good causes.

Now is your chance to nominate them for an accolade at our Local Hero Awards 2017.

This year’s glittering event will take place on Friday May 12 at the Assembly Rooms on George Street, where more than 300 people will gather to watch Edinburgh’s unsung heroes  receive their awards.

This week, we would like to encourage readers to nominate a Teacher of the Year and a Fundraiser or Volunteer of the Year.

Our Teacher of the Year accolade is sponsored by Radio Forth for the second year running and aims to recognise the hard work these members of society put in day in, day out.

Last year, Lynsey Stevenson, deputy head teacher of Cornbank St James Primary School in Midlothian scooped the award.

Recalling the evening, Lynsey, who was previously a teacher at Lasswade Primary School, said: “The Local Hero Awards was such a fantastic night and it was an honour to win teacher of the year – it’s my claim to fame.

“I had an excellent time and it was lovely to be recognised.

“Teachers play such a large role in children’s lives so it’s great that this award recognises what they do.

“The meal was lovely and the entertainment was also fantastic.”

She added: “Following the award I got lots of recognition from my local authority which was nice.”

Our Fundraiser or Volunteer of the Year category is being sponsored by The City of Edinburgh Council this year, and aims to highlight the work these generous people do for others.

Love Oliver, set up by Andy and Jennifer Gill scooped the award last year, after they raised over £315,000 for research into childhood cancer – after losing their son at just 24 weeks.

Euan McGrory, the deputy editor of the Evening News, said: “The Local Hero Awards aims to honour the talented and the brave, the compassionate and the determined.

“The people who make Edinburgh and the Lothians what it is today.

“These unsung individuals are our true heroes and should be an inspiration to us all.

“We’d like to encourage as many entries as possible and look forward to reading their stories.”

The Local Hero Awards are open to anyone who lives in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador, the Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “The Council is delighted to sponsor the Fundraiser/Volunteer of the Year Award this year.

“This award is a wonderful way to recognise the inspiring individuals who go that extra mile whether they are carers, volunteers, community organisers or charity workers. Volunteers play crucial roles in many areas of our community and this is our opportunity to hear their stories and recognise their incredible contribution.”

If you would like to nominate your unsung hero, visit www.localheroesedin.co.uk, or look out for the nomination slip in the paper.

To buy tickets for the event, sponsored by Farmer Autocare, visit: www.localheroesedin.co.uk.

The closing date is April 10.