Rewarding the heroes in society (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rewarding the heroes in society

8:38am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Our View By Telegraph & Argus

Last year we teamed up with Bradford Council’s Active Citizens programme to present the first ever Community Stars awards. And what a roaring success they were.

We asked you for your nominations of those ordinary people who had done, in their own way, extraordinary things.

We’re not talking about earth-shattering events, but just everyday little acts of heroism, kindness and care which make our world run just that little bit more smoothly.

There is a lot of talk about the Big Society, as though this is a slick, new initiative that we should all sign up to in a bid to improve our lot. But in reality the Big Society is just a rebranding exercise for something that happens, day in, day out, with very little recognition.

The Community Stars awards give credit to those who do their elderly neighbours’ shopping, organise playgroups or after-school clubs, brighten up their communities with flowers or clean-ups. They are for those who give a little effort to make their fellow Bradfordians’ lives a little better, a little less lonely, a little more cheery.

This is why we are running the awards again this year. We were overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of nominations last year, and know that there are many more unsung heroes and heroines out there in the district who deserve to be in the running for an award and its attendant medal.

So take a look at the categories in our double-page feature launching this year’s awards and have a think about who in your corner of Bradford goes the extra mile to help others out. It’s time for those quietly beavering away to help others to get their moment in the sun.