If ever there was a time for heroes then it’s now
ALAS, one of the most anticipated events in the annual calendar of celebrations, The Sentinel’s muchanticipated flagship Our Heroes Awards, has been suspended this year because of Covid-19.
The celebration was initially thought out by the editor in 2006, Mike Sassi, and assistant, later deputy editor and editor, Martin Tideswell, who continued to organise and host the event each year gathering progressive esteem.
‘Heroes’, as it affectionately became known, was jointly launched with Britannia Building Society, and designed to highlight the many unsung community champions across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.
Tributes to children who showed exceptional courage, accompanied school and domestic outstanding initiatives and accomplishments, as well as selfless deeds of carers, good neighbours, charity champions and volunteers.
Heroes of the NHS, and local representatives of the emergency services and armed forces were all included in the spirit of underscoring activities that would normally have been taken for granted, gone unnoticed and unrewarded.
Over 14 years’ recognition has been given to more than 1,500 recipients, and probably as many again, because numerous awards were shared as groups.
The stories were often so emotional that it was almost customary to shed tears, and certainly I never felt uncomfortable in letting my guard down as I listened to the incredible stories of bravery under all sorts of hardships - kids who spent their waking hours caring for disabled and chronically ill parents and siblings while living their own lives as normal as possible.
And frontline services, whose everyday responses to anxiety, fear and danger, would baulk the average man and woman.
And so were the numerous good deeds of neighbours and community groups, often nameless people who ensured that no one was excluded at all levels of local life.
There is no doubt that ‘Heroes’ was here to stay, and that 2020 would certainly be a standout year, one that has witnessed so many examples of local courage and heroism.
I know first-hand that The Sentinel was readily up for it! But it’s not to be. The pandemic has seen to that.
So, let’s skip to 2021. Obviously, no one knows what lies ahead. And getting through the winter is going to be an ordeal.
Planning for an event with so many elaborate arrangements to employ, could genuinely be a non-starter.
Is there any possibility then, that it can take place next year?
God knows, if we should ever look to our heroes, it is now!