For more than a decade, the Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards have celebrated the best and brightest within the region’s local communities.
The annual celebration highlights the often-unseen acts of kindness, bravery and selflessness that make our city, towns and villages so special.
And from today, we want your nominations.
For another year, those who deserve recognition - but who do not always get it - will be recognised for the invaluable contribution they make every single day to the lives of others.
This year will be no exception and the event, now in its 11th year, already promises to be unforgettable, marking another year of courage and exceptional community spirit.
This will be the fourth year running that the awards have been organised entirely in-house by the Eastern Daily Press (EDP) and Norwich Evening News.
Editor Richard Porritt said: "We've had a truly amazing run of highlighting the amazing work and efforts being carried out across communities in our wonderful county.
"The level of dedication, courage, selflessness and bravery shown in Norfolk and Waveney continues to impress us all, and for another year we want to show that off.
"We are urging as many of you as possible to nominate your colleagues, neighbours, organisations and groups who have gone the extra mile.
"They deserve special recognition for their efforts so we are urging each and everyone one of you to think about who you can nominate and get it sent in."
Winners will receive a trophy, certificate and bottle of champagne (under 18s will receive a gift), as well as tickets to the Norwich Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty, courtesy of Norwich Theatre.
Norwich Theatre is also the sponsor of the Lifetime Commitment to the Community Award.
Its chief executive and creative director, Stephen Crocker, said: “The work of these everyday heroes in Norfolk and Waveney often goes unnoticed, but they are part of what makes our county so special.
“We are honoured to be involved in these awards as a sponsor and by donating tickets to this year’s pantomime as prizes."
Marios Georgiou, co-founder and chair of Step Teachers, which is sponsoring the Excellence in Education Award, added: "It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of education.
“With so many challenges facing the world today, from climate change to conflict; it’s more important than ever to invest in education.
“Only through education can we hope for a better future for our children."
And finally, John Potter, managing director of Potters Friends Foundation and sponsor of the Charity Hero of the Year, said: “At Potters Friends Foundation, we're incredibly proud to sponsor this award, recognising the selfless heroes who tirelessly work to make our cherished communities better places.”
HOW TO ENTER
Entries will close on October 1 and the finalists will be announced on November 10.
The winners will be announced on November 30 and a special winners supplement will appear in the EDP on December 2.
All of the finalists will be invited to a special afternoon event at The Assembly House on November 30.
Nominations can be made at www.starsofnorfolk.co.uk
THE CATEGORIES
Animal Hero of the Year, sponsored by Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Carer of the Year
Charity Hero of the Year, sponsored by Potters Friends Foundation
Excellence in Education Award, sponsored by Step Teachers
Lifetime Commitment to the Community Award, sponsored by Norwich Theatre
NHS and Emergency Services Personnel of the Year
Outstanding Bravery Act of the Year
Team/Community Group of the Year
Unsung Community Hero of the Year
Young Person of the Year, sponsored by Vattenfall
Non-entry categories:
Judges' Special Award
Overall Star of Norfolk & Waveney
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