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PM announces local heroes honour list

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling on communities across the country to identify the local heroes who they believe should be honoured by the nation.

GORDON BROWN said: “All of us know someone in our street or someone in our community who spends all their spare time helping others. They are always raising money for charity, running errands for elderly neighbours, coaching kids, or doing something to bring the town together.

“Carers, helpers, or just good neighbours, nothing is ever too much trouble or too much effort: They are the people who inspire us all, make our lives happier or easier, and make our neighbourhoods safer and stronger. They are the everyday heroes who make Britain great.

“And how many times do we say to each other: ‘That person deserves a medal’. Well I think it is time they got what they deserved. And that is why I want us to see more of our local heroes presented with an MBE or an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen.

Carers, helpers, or just good neighbours, nothing is ever too much trouble or too much effort: They are the people who inspire us all, make our lives happier or easier, and make our neighbourhoods safer and stronger. They are the everyday heroes who make Britain great."

“And now you can help your local heroes get the recognition they deserve. Nominating someone is simple: call 020 7276 2777 or visit www.honours.gov.uk and you can start the ball rolling today.”

What are the details?
In this year’s New Year’s Honours List, more than 4 in 5 of all the OBEs and MBEs awarded went to people who have carried out valuable charitable or voluntary work, either as a career or in their own spare time.

The honours presented by HM The Queen are highly-valued. There are only around 2,000 awarded each year and only the most worthy candidates succeed. That is why the Government wants local communities to help identify the unsung heroes who have made the best contributions so that they can be put forward for consideration.

These will not just be the people who have raised the most money or achieved the most prominence, but also the quiet, modest individuals who have given up huge amounts of time and energy over many years to help the people around them.

To find these people, the Government wants the involvement of organisations across the country - from charities and voluntary organisations to local councils and health authorities, from sports clubs and youth clubs to church groups and old people’s homes.

The Government is also appealing to local newspapers and ordinary people to search for their own local heroes.

Anyone is allowed to make a nomination - you do not need to be an official of any organisation. To find out how, go to www.honours.gov.uk, call 020 7276 2777, send an e-mail to ceremonial@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk or write to the Ceremonial Secretariat, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.

Nominations are considered by the independent Honours Committees, and their recommendations on who should be honoured are announced twice a year in the New Year’s Honours and HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The nomination process is very rigorous and can take some time. And unfortunately, because receiving an honour is rare, not everyone can succeed in achieving this special recognition, but that should not stop them being considered, and your local hero has the same chance as everyone else.

Leaders of the future wanted

SCOPE, THE disability organisation, is running its Leadership Recruitment programs for 2008. The programme provides access to graduate employment opportunities for disabled people. Candidates can apply for the graduate work placement scheme or gain support from Scope in applications to Scope’s graduate recruitment employer partners. Candidates are encouraged to apply for both strands and Scope ensures that disability access needs are met at all stages from recruitment through to induction. Trainees have a 12-month contract of employment with Scope, during which they will undertake one or two paid work placements. Success in the placement can lead to employment with the work placement employer. In any event Leadership Recruitment is a great opportunity to enhance your CV and thereby your future employment prospects. Salaries start from £15,000 per annum (additional allowances are payable to London-based trainees). For full details and application deadlines see www.scope.org.uk/graduates