DO YOU know an unsung Isle of Wight hero?
St John Ambulance on the Island is appealing to the public to nominate some one they know — be it family, friends, colleagues or strangers — for a national award to reward a heroic act of life-saving.
The charity’s Everyday Heroes awards return this year, on the hunt for inspirational stories of first aid heroism or who have championed first aid.
St John Ambulance spokesman, Kate Rutsch, said: "We need your help in finding the Island’s unsung heroes. Do you know someone who’s saved a life, has gone that extra mile to help someone in an emergency, or is a first aid champion on the Island?
"We’d love to see local people nominated in our Everyday Heroes awards. Their stories may also inspire others to learn vital life saving skills."
The award categories are the Everyday Hero, for adults aged 18 and over, Workplace Hero, the Guy Evans Young Hero of the Year, for people aged under 18, the 'Yours’ Community First Aid Champion, Hero Parent of the Year, Organisation of the Year for First Aid Excellence, for low and high risk industry, and St John Ambulance Volunteer of the Year Award.
The awards are an annual star-studded event which celebrate the nation’s life savers. This year’s finalists will be invited to the ceremony at the Hilton Bankside Hotel, London, on September 28.
Every year, nationally, more than 400,000 people learn how to save a life through St John Ambulance’s training programmes, who include hundreds of thousands of young people.
Volunteers provide first aid in their communities, keeping people safe at events, and working alongside the NHS in response to 999 calls, as well as continuing to campaign to raise awareness of first aid and through education.
To nominate someone, visit www.sja.org.uk/everydayheroes
Entries close at midnight on April 9, with short-listed nominees invited to a ceremony.