Nominations now closed for Spirit of NI ahead of awards night

Sunday Life has again teamed up with Ulster Bank for the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, and we want you to tell us about the heroes in your life and local community.

The Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, seeks out and celebrates the unsung heroes, the people who have made a difference to the lives of others with no thought of reward.

They recognise people who go above and beyond for others — people such as policeman John Caldwell, who won our Special Recognition award last year.

Presenting the award to Mr Caldwell via video-link, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told him he represented “the true spirit of Northern Ireland”.

The detective chief inspector was shot several times in a dissident republican attack in front of innocent kids he had been coaching at football training in Omagh.

It was his bravery in saving those same children from the hail of bullets that led to the 48-year-old being nominated.

Last year’s Caring Spirit award went to Gary Trew, a volunteer with the Antrim Gateway Club who has been helping people with learning difficulties for 37 years.

The Young Carer award went to 14-year-old Abbie Gollogly, from Co Armagh, who was nominated by her mum for helping to look after her three autistic brothers at home.

The 999 Hero honour was won by the team at K9 Search and Rescue, while our Environmental Hero was Ruby Free, a member of the Surfers Against Sewage group, which volunteers to clean our beaches and make them safe and healthy.

Spirit of Sport went to fit-as-a-fiddle Pearse Tipping who, at the grand age of 90, runs spin classes in a Lurgan gym.

Cora Bogue, from Co Fermanagh, took home the Overcoming Adversity award after she refused to let learning disabilities hold her back and became a valued member of staff at the Lough Erne Resort.

Our Charity Champion was Yasmin Geddis, who created The Zachary Geddis Break the Silence Trust after she lost her brother Zachary to suicide in 2017 when he was 20. The Coleraine non-profit is dedicated to raising mental health awareness and decreasing the stigma surrounding suicide.

Seamus Crossan, who was won the Spirit of Health award, works as a mental health nurse manager but in his spare time he and his friends at the running club he set up in Derry raise thousands in cash for many local charities.

The Spirit of Education honour went to Seana Maguire, the head of Spanish at Aquinas Grammar School in Belfast, who was nominated for her work in highlighting the importance of organ donation and giving the gift of life.

Our Unsung Hero was Louise Taylor, from Lurgan, who founded the Little Forget Me Nots Trust — a charity that supports families who have experienced pre-teen child loss.

Our Spirit of Youth winner was 10-year-old Alfie Pentony, from Newry, who refuses to let Duchenne muscular dystrophy stop him from doing the things he loves, including football and boxing.

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody took the Outstanding Contribution award after setting up the Lightbody Foundation, which has donated more than £1million to charitable causes campaigning on topics such as mental health and suicide prevention.

It is individuals and groups like these that have been nominated for one of 13 awards this year.

All of our categories are listed below, including awards for Unsung Hero, Charity Champion, Community Hero, Young Carer, 999 Hero, Spirit of Health, Spirit of Education, Spirit of Youth and Spirit of Sport.

We have sought people who have demonstrated a spirit of compassion, neighbourliness, charity, courage or devotion, or those who have gone beyond the call of duty in the fields of education, the emergency services, the caring sector, health or sport.

The awards ceremony will be held at Culloden Estate and Spa in Cultra on Friday, June 14. It will be hosted by UTV’s Pamela Ballantine and Cool FM’s Pete Snodden, with the radio station also media partner.

Pamela, who has presented the ceremony for many years, said: “I am delighted to be involved once again in the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.

“It’s a wonderful excuse for us all to come together and celebrate some of the unsung heroes in Northern Ireland. It’s wonderful they get the recognition to deserve.”

Cool FM breakfast show host Pete added: “The awards are always an amazing night. It is a night of celebrating people from right across the country, and it’s brilliant for myself to be hosting it this year and for the radio station to be involved.

“I am really excited to meet the winners this year as their stories always blow me away.”

Awards founder and Sunday Life and Belfast Telegraph deputy editor-in-chief, Martin Breen said: “I would urge everyone to tell us about those everyday heroes in their lives and in their local communities. We want to celebrate them and all they have done for others.”

Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking at Ulster Bank NI added: “The Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, are a fantastic way of celebrating community heroes who make a huge difference to the lives of others.

“They offer a snapshot of ordinary people who do extraordinary things and serve as a reminder of all the good that exists here.

“Throughout the course of this partnership, we have met so many inspirational people, and it has been humbling to learn more about their stories.

“As a purpose-led bank, supporting our customers is at the heart of everything we do.

“We want to continue to shine a light on all of the individuals, families and organisations working hard to make their communities a better place.

“So, if you know of someone in your local area who would be a worthy recipient of a Spirit of Northern Ireland award, fill in the nomination form and let us give them the recognition they so richly deserve.”

The categories

Charity Champion: Someone who has worked tirelessly for a charity or as a fundraiser for many years. (sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation)

Spirit of Education: A truly inspirational teacher who has helped children and young people fulfil their potential. (supported by Public Health Agency)

Unsung Hero: Someone whose great deed or deeds have previously gone unnoticed but who has made a major contribution to your life or to your community. (sponsored by The Boulevard Banbridge)

Caring Spirt: A person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member. (sponsored by Power NI)

Young Carer: A young person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member.

Spirit of Youth: Someone under the age of 18 who should be recognised for their special achievements. (sponsored by Better)

Spirit of Sport: Someone who has made an exceptional contribution to sport over a number of years. (sponsored by Decathlon)

999 Hero: A member of the emergency services who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their job. (sponsored by Four Star Pizza)

Spirit of Health: A medical professional who has gone the extra mile to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients. (sponsored by Balmoral Healthcare)

Overcoming Adversity: Someone who has overcome huge personal challenges, whether it is dealing with illness or disability or overcoming problems.

Eco Champion: Seeks to recognise an individual or community group that has gone the extra mile to care for and protect the local environment for future generations.

Community Hero: Someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their local community or neighbourhood. (sponsored by nearby)

Special Recognition: Someone who the judges feel represents the Spirit of Northern Ireland by selflessly serving others and being an inspiration to us all.