Going above and beyond the call of duty and so much more

Throughout communities in Moray and Banffshire, there are people who will always go the extra mile – or miles – to help others.

Many of our public servants, and emergency services and armed forces personnel have gone far beyond the normal expectations of duty to provide help and lifesaving assistance to people they don’t even know.

Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2022 aims to recognise and celebrate these very special individuals with awards for the public servant of the year and the emergency services/armed forces hero.

The public servant of the year will be an individual who has gone the extra mile in the delivery of their job, making a real difference to their service users, the organisation they work for or the community they work in. The emergency services/armed forces hero award will go to an outstanding member of the emergency services or armed forces who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Annette MacDonald, business manager, William R Mair funeral directors, sponsor of the public servant award, said: “It takes a special kind of person to make a difference in the community.

“We understand and recognise the importance of acknowledging everyone’s efforts throughout the year, especially more so after the last year-and-a-half; where people have gone above and beyond the normal realms of the job role they do.

“William R Mair funeral directors, Buckie (part of Dignity Funerals) is privileged and honoured to be award sponsors for the public servant category of Moray & Banffshire Heroes. We would also like to thank each and every one of you for your valuable contribution over the last two years. Community involvement and care are at the very heart of all we do – we are dignity with distinction, you are all heroes by definition.”

The emergency services/ armed forces hero award is sponsored by Addison Electrical and Graintek, Huntly.

Kenny Addison, owner of Addison Electrical and Graintek, said: “Our emergency services and armed forces personnel have always gone above and beyond their duty, but even more so during the pandemic.

“On top of their regular duties, both services have worked so hard to keep people safe and protected from Covid, whether that’s assisting in the vaccine programme or going to people’s aid when the pressure on the health services has been at its greatest. They have been outstanding.

“We’re fully behind the campaign and we hope all readers will nominate an individual from their community for an award to say a big thank you for what they do.”

There are 12 main categories in Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2022. Over the coming weeks, your favourite Highland News & Media (HNM) app, websites and newspapers will include special features about the categories along with all of the details of how you can nominate individuals or organisations in your community.

Once all of your nominations have been submitted, our judging panel will create a shortlist which will then go before a public vote to choose the Moray & Banffshire Heroes of 2022.

There is also a special award, hero of heroes, which will be chosen from the award winners and announced on the night of the awards ceremony at the Mansefield Hotel, Elgin on Thursday, February 10.

Nominate your hero at www.hnmedia.co.uk/morayheroes

Nominations close on Friday, December 10.