Nominate YOUR unsung Thame hero!

AS a way of recognising people in Thame who help their neighbours, support local groups or go out of their way for others in their community, nine years ago, the Town Council launched the Thame Town Awards. Since then, dozens of local people have been thanked and celebrated for working hard to make our community a safer, more vibrant and happier place to live.

Each year the Council invites members of the public to nominate their local, unsung heroes, and this year is no different! They want you to tell them about individuals and groups who have made a special contribution to life in Thame. This could be a volunteer, a teacher, a shop worker, someone old, someone young – pretty much anyone! This year there are five categories in which you can make a nomination:

Sporting Achievement
Someone of any age who has shown great dedication to their sport. Perhaps a player, a coach, even someone who supports your team from the side-lines.

Volunteer of the Year
An individual or organisation who has worked tirelessly for the good of the community. Thame is a hive of community activity, but who deserves your nomination?

Lifetime Achievement
Someone who has made a significant contribution to Thame over an extended period of time. They could be anyone from a teacher or carer to a fundraiser or event organiser. This award can be made posthumously.

Service with a Smile
A business or an individual that consistently provides a faultless and friendly service.

Creative Arts Achievement
A person of any age who excels in the creative arts. This could be in acting, painting, music, dance, photography – the list goes on!

One of last year’s winners, Angela Willson, was delighted with her Voluntary Individual award: “I was totally surprised to be nominated for the Voluntary Individual award in 2016. I have had the privilege of being part of Lea Park Residents’ Association for many years and this had opened up opportunities to take part in a number of Thame projects such as Thame Tidy Day. In the past I have attended the Thame Town Awards event which highlights the wide range of activities and services that are organised by ordinary Thame citizens. I am thankful to those who nominate others for recognition of their contribution to the life of Thame.”

To nominate your local hero, visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-awards and fill in the form, or pop in to the Town Hall Information Centre and pick up a voting card. You can find out more and meet some of the judges at the Thame Market Community Stall on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. You can follow the awards on Facebook ‘Thame Town Awards’ or on Twitter using #ThameAwards!

The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 3, 2017. LINK HERE to read the terms and conditions. This year’s awards are generously supported by Risborough Carers, who are celebrating their 25th birthday in 2017.