Help us find Ely’s unsung heroes including the smiliest server and the best parent in the area’s newest community event Ely Hero Awards

Sarah Cliss

Published: 9:33 AM April 8, 2017 Updated: 11:33 AM November 1, 2020

Ely Local Awards were launched on Tuesday at The Poets' House in Ely. The Ely Standard has teamed up with MetroRod (Cambridge) to run the area's newest and most exciting new community event. Pictured are editor John Elworthy with Naomi Sherwood of MetroRod, who has organised the event. - Credit: Archant

Help shine a light on the area’s unsung heroes from the smiliest server to top sportsman in the area’s newest community event the Ely Hero Awards.

Ely Local Awards were launched on Tuesday at The Poets' House in Ely. All the judges were at the launch they will have the job of shortlisting three entries from each category from which the winner will be chosen. The first Ely Hero Award winner will come from one of the category winners. - Credit: Archant

Help shine a light on the area’s unsung heroes from the smiliest server to top sportsman in East Cambridgeshire’s newest community event the Ely Hero Awards.

There are so many reasons why we should all be proud to live and work in Ely and the surrounding villages, we have some of the most amazing people who live here, who work here and who make it one of the greatest cities – no wonder Ely gets voted so many times in the UK top 10 places to live!

Ely’s brand-new community event was launched at a drinks reception on Tuesday (4) at The Poets’ House.

Ely Hero Awards are being run in association with MetroRod (Cambridge), together with their media partner The Ely Standard, part of Archant group of newspapers.

Ely Local Awards were launched on Tuesday at The Poets' House in Ely. Organiser Naomi Sherwood of MetroRod (Cambridge) is pictured with Mayor Councillor Ian Lindsay at the launch of the Ely area's newest, and most exciting new community event. - Credit: Archant

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There are 10 categories for individuals to nominate their rather special ‘Hero’ who either lives or works in Ely and the surrounding villages, within a 10-mile radius.

Our judges will shortlist three nominations who will be invited to the exclusive awards ceremony at The Maltings on June 19 where the winner of each category will be announced by Ely’s mayor.

Local businesses are kindly sponsoring the categories, including: Grovemere, Ward Gethin Archer, Elyi Magazine, The CHS Group, Life Fitness, Thor Labs, Red Shoes Accounting, Puggles and Seahorses Swim Schools.

Other sponsors are local companies; Infiniti Graphics who designed the fabulous brand logo and website and Sadie Finch VA who is kindly providing administration assistance. Along with the judging panel they attended the launch party.

Naomi Sherwood, of MetroRod (Cambridge) said: “We have been personally inspired by the reports of local people who do amazing things in the community, we feel these individuals should be rewarded, encouraged and celebrated.

“MetroRod (Cambridge) is very proud to be organising Ely’s very first Hero Awards and would encourage everyone to nominate their local Hero in one of the categories and help celebrate our fantastic city and the individuals who make it great! The support, generosity and positivity from Ely’s businesses and the panel of judges has been overwhelming”.

John Elworthy, editor of the Ely Standard, said: “I think this is an amazing opportunity to showcase the city and the surrounding area. Being nominated or winning an award is not going to change someone’s life overnight, but the recognition will have an enboldening effect, recognition by your peers, customers, or clients is always nice and gives individuals a really good feeling.

“So I would urge everyone to think about nominating someone they believe deserves recognition in our area.”

Nominations can be made via the website www.elyheroawards.org.uk. Entries can also be made via postcards, available at Burrows Bookshop.

Facebook page is https://m.facebook.com/elyheroes and join in with the tweets @elyheroes. The Ely Standard newspaper is covering the event in print and online and will list all nominations on a weekly basis so everyone can keep up to date with what is happening and see who has been nominated so far.

The closing date is May 15 and to nominate visit: http://www.elyheroawards.org.uk/

Find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/elyheroes/?hc_ref=SEARCH

The categories are:

• Smiliest Server

• Best Parent

• Caring Companion

• Most Amazing Professional

• Neighbour of the Year

• Community Champion

• Best Teacher

• Child of Achievement

• Sporting Hero