Local Hero Awards 2020: Here are all the finalists
In a year like no other, 32 finalists have been put forward by family, friends and neighbours to be celebrated for going the extra mile for their community in the 2020 Edinburgh Local Hero Awards.
Winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony broadcast live on October 9, hosted by Arlene Stuart from Forth One.
Judging took place last week, and the Evening News thanks all our judges: Greg Dolan from Farmer Autocare; Gaynor Marshall from Lothian; Allison Barr from Team Jak; and Rebecca Thompson from the Evening News.
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Hide AdHeadline Sponsor of the awards Farmer Autocare said: “ We are delighted to once again support the Local Hero Awards. It’s always a real privilege to rightly honour the incredible dedication of people that are improving lives across our local community.
"We are all looking forward to recognising those that have sacrificed time and effort to support family, friends and neighbours through these especially tough times. “
Cameron Clough and Archie Galloway have been shortlisted for the Bravery Award, sponsored by Dog Aid Society.
Moray Johnstone, Alison Morrison and Richard Stewart are finalists for the Carer of the Year Award.
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Hide AdFundraiser of the Year finalists are Trudie Murphy and Julie Nisbet.
Lewis McLachlan of Empty Kitchens Full Hearts and David Philip of Behind Your Mind have been shortlisted for Health Champion, sponsored by House of Hearing.
Tobe Amamize, who has been working to break down barriers for BAME people, and Lauren James, who has battled anorexia and raised funds for charity Beat, are finalists for Inspirational Young Adult, sponsored by Amazon.
Hannah Daly, Gayanne Potter, and Jane Russel have all supported their local communities during the pandemic, and have been nominated for Neighbour of the Year.
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Hide AdFinalists for the Sporting Hero award, sponsored by Capital Cars, are volunteer football coach Scott Christie, karate champion Kori Fital, and volunteer Chair of Bo’Ness United Community Football Club Peter Hay.
Caroline Bleach of Deans Community High School, Fiona Calder of Forest Schools, Patricia Denholm of Seafield Primary School, and Tina Misselbrook of Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School are shortlisted for Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Forth One.
John Baxter, Chair of Blood Bikes Scotland, Mike Black, who volunteers for Steps to Hope, and Richard Romero, who founded Steps to Hope are finalists in the Volunteer of the Year category.
Finalists for Community Champion, sponsored by Lothian, are Waz Abbas, Amanda Farmer and Michelle Wright, Peter Hay, Lewis McLachlan, and Alison Williams.
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Hide AdEmily Bain, Archie Galloway, and Max Gare and are shortlisted for Junior Local Hero, sponsored by Farmer Autocare.
The Local Hero Award will be given to an outstanding candidate from any category.
Euan McGrory, Editor of the Evening News, said: "This year has been like no other that any of us has ever known. Coronavirus has meant that together we have had to face up to the biggest danger to our communities since our parents and grandparents fought in the Second World War.
"The people of Edinburgh and the Lothians have always looked out for each other so it was no surprise to see the way they responded to the pandemic. From neighbours offering to pick up shopping for each other to volunteers making hand gels and face masks to combat the shortage, there have been so many inspiring examples of Local Heroes in action.
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Hide Ad"Sharing many of these stories through the pages of the Evening News has certainly helped us working on the newspaper to get through these recent months and I hope that they have helped you our readers too.”