It’s time to nominate your 2021 Local Hero

With the 2020 Local Hero Awards now behind us, the search for this year’s extraordinary do-gooders is on.

Entries for the Daily Dispatch and Johnson & Johnson Local Heroes campaign have officially opened and the Dispatch is looking forward to the many inspirational stories that 2021 will bring.

The campaign was initiated in 2015 and sees 12 chosen as Local Hero finalists from a pool of nominees sent in by readers throughout the year.

Each of the finalists is honoured at a gala dinner.

The campaign recently saw its first successful virtual awards event and has awarded more than 70 ordinary people who are making a difference in their communities.

In 2020  a new category, the Front-line Hero Award, was introduced in an effort to honour the incredible efforts of front-line workers during the pandemic.

This year and in future the Dispatch and Johnson & Johnson will continue to search for 12 local heroes and one front-line hero annually.

Daily Dispatch marketing manager Jennilee Peremore-Oliver said the Dispatch would continue “shining a light” on the good Samaritans in the community in an effort to inspire others and spread some good news.

“I think it is important to recognise the people in our community who selflessly give of their time and resources to help others, because it keeps our communities motivated and inspired and that is important especially now during the pandemic,” said Peremore-Oliver.

“We are bombarded with negative news daily, but we can change that by shining a light on the good people in our communities and in doing so, motivate and inspire others by showing proof that the world is actually a wonderful place with may positive things happening all around us.”

Peremore-Oliver said the Dispatch and Johnson & Johnson Local Hero Awards judges always looked forward to the unique nominations sent in each year and encouraged readers to nominate the people in their communities going the extra mile to help others.

“We are always looking for those unique stories; people who are helping others in unusual or special ways, because it shows that there is so much one can do to help our neighbours.

“We also look at the level of sacrifice the people have made to help their communities. These are just two of the characteristics that help nominees stand out,” said Peremore-Oliver.

To nominate your local hero, e-mail a 500-word motivation for the nominee’s selection to localheroes@dispatch.co.za.

Nominees must make an impact in the Eastern Cape and preferably their outreach should be as local as possible.

All necessary details of the nominee, including name, cell number and e-mail address, must be provided in the nomination. Unsuccessful Local Hero nominees from past years may be renominated for the 2021 awards.

Nominations close on July 31.