Write a commentSEARCHING FOR NEWRY’S UNSUNG HEROES
Seven year old Newry girl Cara McCartan won a Spirit of Northern Ireland award in 2017 and a year on, it's now time to start nominating your local heroes once again!
The 2018 Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards with Specsavers have just been launched and judges are looking for who you think best captures the Spirit of Northern Ireland in 2018.
This annual awards ceremony, which will again be televised by UTV, seeks to honour all those who make a difference across Northern Ireland. Last year’s overall Spirit of Northern Ireland winner was Coleraine man Willie Gregg, who has raised more than £250k to help children orphaned in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Winner of the Spirit of Youth award was seven year old Newry girl Cara McCartan. Both her parents are both deaf and do not speak. Cara regularly interprets for them through sign language but in 2016 Cara also helped her mother, who also suffers from cystic fibrosis, in another way after she found her struggling to breath.
Faced with this frightening situation, brave young Cara kept her cool and managed to phone the ambulance and keep her mother safe until the paramedics arrived. Described by her family and teachers as a ‘superstar,’ Cara always has a smile on her face and leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
This year organisers want your nominations for who you think deserves a Spirit of Northern Ireland Award, by selflessly serving others and being an inspiration to us all.
Judges are searching to honour winners across ten categories in total which are now open for nomination. This year’s categories are: Unsung Hero, Overcoming Adversity, Spirit of Youth, 999 Hero, Charity Champion, Spirit of Health, Spirit of Education, Caring Spirit Award, Spirit of Sport and a Special Recognition Award.
Specsavers Northern Ireland Chairman, Sean McCauley, said, “We are delighted to sponsor the amazing Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards for the eighth consecutive year. I know I speak for all of the Specsavers staff across the province that each year we are humbled and inspired by the stories that are received and I’m sure this year will be no different. These awards celebrate all that is good about Northern Ireland and gives us the opportunity to champion incredible individuals who are so often modest and quiet about the huge difference they make to other peoples’ lives. Help us to recognise our local unsung heroes by sharing their stories before the closing date in March.”
Whether for demonstrating a spirit of compassion, neighbourliness, charity, enterprise, courage or devotion, all nominations are welcome. All those who submit nominations will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a £150 eyecare voucher and a VIP experience at the awards, including an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, courtesy of Specsavers.
The grand final will take place on Friday, April 20th in Belfast.
Hosting the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards will be UTV’s Marc Mallett and Pamela Ballantine, and just like previous years, the audience will be filled with many local celebrities supporting the event and eager to hear the finalists’ incredible stories.
Soap and drama fans had their pick of household names at last year’s event from the likes of Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holby City, Game of Thrones and The Fall.
Entertainment on the night of the awards this April will be provided by Shane Filan, who was a member of Westlife before launching his own successful solo career.
To make a nomination, simply explain in 50-100 words why this person is worthy of a Spirit of Northern Ireland Award and email tospiritofniawards@sundaylife.co.uk or fill in a form available at a local Specsavers store.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 16th March 2018.
Tickets for the gala awards ceremony cost £65 +VAT which includes dinner, table wine and entertainment and can be purchased from JComms, Sylvan House, Belmont Office Park, 232-240 Belmont Road, Belfast, BT4 2AW; by phone at 028 9076 0066 or emailing: mail@jcomms.co.uk
