Rachely Plancey, Eliana Ostro, Kate Garraway
and Michelle Barnett at the Helping Hand Awards 2008
Broadcasting legend Esther Rantzen and GMTV presenter Kate Garraway are calling on people to nominate the unsung heroes of their community for the 2010 Helping Hand Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, 23 July.
Organised in association with Norwood, the Helping Hand Awards seek to recognise the incredible people who make a real difference to other people’s lives and provide inspiration to all those around them. This year, they will be held in memory of the late Lady Jakobovits, an Honorary Patron of the Awards who dedicated her life to helping others.
Esther Rantzen and Kate Garraway are among 13 members of a selection panel who will decide which three nominees will receive a specially donated grant of £1,000 each, at an award ceremony in November. Everyone who is nominated will receive a commendation.
Esther Rantzen said: “Everyone knows someone who goes the extra mile on behalf of other people – those selfless individuals whose devotion and commitment to their community is an inspiration. The Helping Hand Awards is a perfect opportunity to give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve, all you need to do is spend just a few minutes filling in the simple nomination form.”
Kate Garraway added: “It is a real honour to be part of the Helping Hand Awards, and it has been truly humbling to meet past winners and hear their stories. This year, we are especially keen to receive nominations for younger members of the community whose care and compassion has meant so much to others.”
People can nominate individuals, families or groups. The nominee/s should have shown exceptional dedication and support, over a significant period, through their outstanding efforts in a caring capacity to an individual or group. This may be by volunteering, caring, befriending, mentoring or supporting others. The nominees and/or the beneficiaries of their care should be Jewish.
Lady Jakobovits, whose late husband, the former Chief Rabbi Lord Jakobovits, was a Vice President of Norwood, was herself a passionate supporter of the Charity’s work throughout her life. Norma Brier, Norwood’s Chief Executive, said: “Lady Jakobovits was a remarkable woman – a friend, mentor and inspiration to innumerable individuals, families and organisation, whose love for others was universal. The values by which she lived her life are identical to those which the Helping Hand Awards seek to recognise. Therefore, we believe it is a fitting tribute that this year’s Awards are held in her memory.”
Please submit your nomination online at www.norwood.org.uk/helpinghand. For more information contact Candice Mendes da Costa, Helping Hand Awards Coordinator, on 020 8420 6898 or e-mail helpinghandawards@norwood.org.uk
Norwood is a leading UK charity which supports people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need. It provides more than 120 life-changing services across London and the South East.
The winners of the 2008 Helping Hand Awards were Michelle Barnett, Rachely Plancey and Eliana Ostro, each of whom donated their grants to charity.
Michelle Barnett
Michelle, who began her career as a Probation Officer working with high risk offenders for 11 years, set up a Norwood group designed to give parents a break from the challenges of caring for children with learning disabilities. In 2003, she founded GIFT, an independent charity which encourages a culture of giving and volunteering among young people within the Community.
Rachely Plancey
Since the age of 19, Rachley has worked tirelessly helping parents of children with cancer, muscular dystrophy, dysautonomia and other life-threatening illnesses. She and her husband Meir set up Camp Simcha in the UK in order to improve the quality of life for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses and to support their families.
Eliana Ostro
Eliana is an extraordinary young woman who has always had a heightened sense of compassion for others, and a desire to help anyone in need. Eliana is a volunteer at Neve Michael, a village in Israel which is a haven for children who have been seriously neglected or abused by their families. She even decided to spend her Bat Mitzvah money on the children at Neve Michael.
