We’re ready to honour your HEROES

COVENTRY and Warwickshire has eight reasons to be bursting with pride tonight as the winners of the Telegraph’s Heroes awards are revealed.

The countdown is almost over to the start of the star-studded ceremony when extraordinary individuals will take centre stage at the Ricoh Arena.

Our winners will share the spotlight with hosts TV presenter Emma Jesson and Cov Kid John ‘JD’ Dalziel, the host of Free Radio’s breakfast show.

Gongs will be presented in eight categories: Campaigner of the Year, Carers of the Year, Inspirational Person, Local Hero, Heart of the Community, Inspirational Family, Fundraiser of the Year and Young Achiever.

Acts signed up for the show are Binley songbird Jenna Hancock, The Voice star Tom Barnwell and Forte Gospel.

Our nominees include the likes of 93-year-old stalwart of city athletics Charlie Kelly, who has been a coach at Coventry Godiva Harriers for four decades and is in line for the Local Hero title.

Also shortlisted is teenager Sian Healy who’s shown beauty is more than skin deep.

The 17-year-old, who competed to win the title of Miss Coventry and Warwickshire in April, locked herself away after relentless bullying from girls on Twitter and Facebook and is now a fearless campaigner against trolling.

Although she didn’t win the beauty queen crown, her inspirational bravery means she is in line to win the Young Achiever category.

Then there are the likes of Paul and Richard BurbidgeGrant whose love of Christmas has raised thousands of pounds for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

The pair spend weeks every year decorating their home in Barkers Butts Lane, Coundon, with thousands of lights and have been nominated in the Heart of the Community category.

The event will raise money for Sky Blues in the Community. The Ricoh Arena-based cause funds itself while tackling big issues such as mental health, obesity, substance misuse and inequality.

The event was formerly known as the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Awards.