Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes

Friday, 27 May 2011

Prime Minister David Cameron and Barack Obama during the president's visit to a South London school this week

Boxer David Haye backs the campaign

Search to find heroes begins

By Lindsay Burns

By Lindsay Burns

PRIME Minister David Cameron has helped launch the search for South London's unsung heroes.

And world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye has given his support to the South London Press and Mercury Series campaign, urging readers to name their heroes.

The Our Heroes Awards, sponsored by Shell, launch this week, highlighting the work of community groups, carers, entrepreneurs and the brave individuals who help make South London a better place.

Mr Cameron said: “I am very happy to be able to send my support to the South London Press Our Heroes Awards for a second year.

“I believe that by recognising and rewarding our community heroes we will encourage others to do the same and make for a better society.

“That’s why the Our Heroes Awards are so important – they recognise people in our community who go the extra mile.”

A prize fund of £6,250 will be shared among the award winners at a ceremony on November 15 at the South Bank headquarters of award sponsors Shell.

David Haye, the Bermondsey-raised current WBA World Heavyweight champion said he was also delighted to back the awards.

David, who will fight WBO and IBF world heavyweight title holder Wladimir Klitschko on July 2, said: “I give my full and complete backing to the Our Heroes Awards.

“I know just how important it is to give praise and encouragement to our local community.

“I am South London born and raised and the area means a great deal to me. “I learnt how to be the man and boxer I am today with the help of neighbours, teachers and trainers in South London, and I’d like to think I turned out okay in the end.

“I owe a lot of my success to the people I came into contact with on the way up.

“It’s nice to know many of those men and women are still working their magic to this day and, better still, being rewarded for their efforts.

“The Our Heroes Awards are fantastic because they highlight the tremendous work of people in our community and give them the opportunity to enjoy the limelight for once.

“There are many heroes and figures of inspiration in South London and I’m just grateful that I was able to come into contact with a few on the way through.”

In previous years the Our Heroes Awards have been judged in different categories.

But this year anyone in the community who deserves a pat on the back for their hard work can be put forward.

South London Press and Mercury Series editor Hannah Walker said: “It is a great privilege to be launching the Our Heroes Awards, recognising the true spirit of South London people who make a difference to their communities and make South London the best possible place to live and work.

“We need our readers to come up with the names so we can highlight their positive achievements.

“We would like to thank Shell for again coming on board and sponsoring the campaign and helping us recognise so many impressive people.

“It doesn’t matter how small, or great their achievements seem – we want to inspire South London with all the heroes’ stories.”

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Wednesday, 22 May 2013