Launched earlier in the summer, there are now only two weeks to go before the closing date for nominations for the Sustainable Sidmouth Champions Awards.
Set up by the Vision Group for Sidmouth, together with partners the Plastic Warriors, the Town Council and the Transition Town Network, “the awards are all about recognising and celebrating our unsung heroes,” said VGS chair Peter Murphy.
“After a tough year and a half, it's about recognising and celebrating how people have gone out of their way to offer help or support in the local community.”
Peter obtained a grant from the Transition Town Network's ‘Bounce Forward Seedfunding’ programme – which promotes communities to become more sustainable and resilient.
Denise Bickley of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and chair of the Town Council's environment committee thought it would be a great idea to highlight the efforts of volunteers – especially during these difficult times.
Denise said: “We want to engage as many residents as possible in these awards and make it a really important, inclusive local event.”
The three categories to choose from are:
The Community Award.
Denise said: “This is a time for us to come together and thank all volunteers for their invaluable contribution, whether shopping and befriending or providing meals for the most vulnerable during lockdown.”
The Resilience Award.
Louise Cole, Director of Sidmouth Community Hub and chair of the Town Council's tourism and economy committee, said: “Resilience to me is about so many things – the ability to bounce back and to discover alternatives when challenges are faced is just a part of it.”
The Sustainability Award.
Denise commented: “Who deserves an award for thinking about our natural world? Is there a business that always strives to be as ethical as possible, or an individual who has spent the last year working hard to improve the planet, or our local area?”
An awards ceremony will take place in October, which will bring together nominees, nominators and, of course, the winners.
There are just two weeks left before nominations close on Thursday, September 30.
You can fill out the online nomination form at: https://sidmouth-champions.vgsidmouth.co.uk/how-to-nominate
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