Community heroes across Havant can be nominated for award recognising effort to help others

The Coronavirus Community Hero Awards, launched by Havant MP Alan Mak, aim to highlight residents, community groups, businesses and others who have helped out in the community.

In partnership with Hampshire Police, Queen Alexandra Hospital, South Central Ambulance Service, Age UK and The News, this award can be given to anyone who made a difference.

That includes more than 400 residents who joined the Local Volunteer Network set up by Mr Mak, helping with shopping, picking-up prescriptions, telephone befriending and the thousands of tasks that took place to ensure people who needed to stay at home got the help they needed and stayed safe.

There are also many more friends, neighbours, colleagues or organisations that played an integral role in the community, so residents can nominate anyone online who they feel made a difference in Havant and deserves to be recognised as a Coronavirus Community Hero.

Mr Mak said: ‘Thank you to everyone who went above and beyond to help others, both during the lockdown and as we embark on the road to recovery. From the start of the coronavirus outbreak, volunteers in our constituency have been vital in ensuring shielded and vulnerable people continued to receive food, medicine or even just a friendly phone call.

‘Through my Coronavirus Community Hero Awards, I hope to recognise the unsung heroes who made a real difference in the community. If you know anyone who made a contribution or came forward to volunteer, even if it was just in a small way, please nominate them through my website.’

SEE ALSO: Anonymous Gosport girl, 8, buys gifts for homeless people with her pocket money

Chief inspector Alex Reading who leads Hampshire police in the Havant constituency said he is proud to support the awards.

He said: ‘It has been a very hard few months for everyone, but I’m pleased by the strong adherence to the coronavirus rules and guidelines in our area. That has only been possible due to the hard work of volunteers who have been on the front line and I’m delighted Alan has launched an opportunity to recognise them.’

For more information and to nominate visit alanmak.org.uk/HeroAwards

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.