PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has put out a personal plea to the people of Ellesmere Port and Neston to identify local heroes who they believe should be honoured by the nation.
Mr 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 the people who inspire us all, make our lives happier or easier, and make our neighbourhoods safer
and stronger.
“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.”
In this year’s New Year’s Honours List, more than four in five of all 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 Government now wants communities to help identify the unsung heroes who have made the best contributions so that they can be put forward for consideration.
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.
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.
