UK campaign to find unsung heroes launched to mark 500 days of Covid in June
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A nationwide campaign has been launched to search for the unsung heroes of the pandemic and mark 500 days since Covid-19 was detected in the UK.
The Journalists’ Charity, founded by Charles Dickens in 1864, is calling on the public to nominate people in their communities who have quietly gone the extra mile to help others during the outbreak.
The charity is also asking local and regional papers across the country to help identify those who deserve recognition for their efforts.
It comes after the work of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who captured the hearts of the nation with his fundraising efforts during the first lockdown when he walked 100 laps of his garden, raising more than £32 million for the NHS.
Newspaper and website readers across the UK are invited to contact publications to nominate some of the thousands of unsung heroes deserving of recognition in their area, in under 500 words.
Our charity has seen first-hand the need for help throughout the pandemic but it is the stories of ordinary people helping others we wish to capture and give them due recognition
Entries must be submitted by June 12, marking 500 days since the first two cases of Covid-19 were detected in the UK.
Chairman of the Journalists’ Charity Ramsay Smith said: “Unsung Heroes is a cause we can all recognise and support.
“There are so many people who have stepped up to the plate during this national crisis to help others and we wholeheartedly believe in highlighting their magnificent efforts.
“Their everyday heroism has not been for their own benefit but rather a deep sense of duty to help others in a time of real need.
“Our charity has seen first-hand the need for help throughout the pandemic but it is the stories of ordinary people helping others we wish to capture and give them due recognition.
“We’re sure there are many of them in all corners of the country.”
Any regional or local paper can run the competition, with winning nominations sent to the Journalists’ Charity, or entries can be submitted directly.
The national winner will be announced later in the year.
There is no fee for entry, but participants are welcome to donate to the Journalists’ Charity, which provides emergency support to journalists and their dependents.
Further details can be found at journalistscharity.org.uk/unsungheroes.
