Search for a hero

We want to celebrate the fantastic work carried out by our voluntary organisations and grass roots heroes.

But we also aim to highlight ALL of the region's achievements and achievers.

Every day people who live and work in East Lancashire will tell us what they are most proud of and we will look at aspects of the area most worthy of celebration.

It is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Across East Lancashire from Blackburn to Burnley and Rossendale to the Ribble Valley, it is also our aim to promote the achievements of the area as a whole, both past and present.

There is a lot to shout about and this campaign aims to raise the roof.

Thisislancashire's special Pride of East Lancashire section...

The centrepiece of the Pride of East Lancashire initiative is our own "People's Oscars" which will be awarded at a glittering ceremony in November.

With the generous backing of some of the area's biggest and most dynamic firms and organisations we and the East Lancashire Partnership have put together 11 major community awards to recognise and reward local heroes.

* Community Groups

* Child of Courage

* Grass Roots Champion

* Spirit of Sport

* Outstanding Volunteer

* Community Enterprise Group

* Neighbour of the Year

* Outstanding Young Volunteer

* Outstanding Vocational Worker

* Gift of Life

* Reader's Choice

Dennis Taylor, chief executive of the East Lancashire Partnership which is co-sponsor of the campaign, said: "The Lancashire Evening Telegraph is to be congratulated on developing these awards to celebrate the achievements of the people of East Lancashire.

"I hope that readers will respond to their vision and insight by highlighting the achievements of their peers.

"In the short time I have been working here in East Lancashire, I have been privileged to meet with countless people from all walks of life joined by the common thread of pride in their heritage.

"This campaign will give them all the opportunity to pay tribute to those around them whose selfless dedication and commitment make East Lancashire a truly great place to be."

Nominations for the awards will come from you the readers and must be submitted before October 1.

We will then set out to tell as many of your stories about community achievements as we can.

Prizes totalling £30,000 will be presented at the Oscar-style ceremony at King George's Hall, Blackburn on November 22.

Thisislancashire's special Pride of East Lancashire section...

Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "I think it's a wonderful idea you are recognising people because we have so many volunteer workers we depend on in the community who are unsung heroes.

"But I think even they would like to know what they are doing doesn't go unnoticed.

"I think the best thing about East Lancashire is the people. Wherever you travel it's always nice to come back to East Lancashire because it's so friendly."

Coun Sandra Hayes, mayor of Hyndburn, said: "There are an awful lot of unsung heroes and I think it's brilliant for you to launch this campaign.

"You find it's always the same faces on different committees and they put in a lot of time. I think it's absolutely fabulous and I fully support it because it gives these people a chance to be publicly noticed and thanked."

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Bill Taylor, said: "East Lancashire has 500,000 citizens, most of who go about their normal lives often un-noticed.

"Events like these are an opportunity to praise our unsung heroes who help make this area very special and I fully back them.

"If I was to choose one factor which makes us special it would have to be the people with their warmth and sense of humour which is recognised all around the world.

"The people are the lifeblood of an area and we are lucky to have such a culturally diverse community bringing together people from all walks of life and all communities."

Former mayor, Coun Tony Humphrys said: "Blackburn and Darwen are great places to live in, with their parks, open countryside, wildlife areas in Belmont and the Historic Moors of Tockholes.

"A stone's throw from the Lake District, North Wales and seaside, Blackburn and Darwen are thriving towns, emerging into the 21st Century with new Technology, new Enterprises forward looking but at the same time keeping old traditions."

Burnley's Mayor , Coun Lilian Clark, said: "There is no place on earth like East Lancashire, it is full of the most caring, kind and most generous people I know, it is a wonderful place.

"I think the campaign is a great idea. There are so many people in the area who do a huge amount for other people and whose hard work goes unrecognised, so this will be a great opportunity for them to get some reward."

Leader of Burnley Borough Council Stuart Caddy said: "One of the best things about East Lancashire is the fantastic countryside.

"Within a couple of miles of some of our town centres there is the most tremendous countryside and people come from miles to visit it. I am very proud of that.

"This campaign is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what is best about East Lancashire and it has my full support."

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom said: "Anything that promotes East Lancashire nationally or regionally has got to be good news.

"This is an interesting scheme and I wish it well." Ribble Valley mayor Joyce Holgate said: "I am proud to be from the Ribble Valley. It has beautiful countryside and wonderful people.

"The Pride of East Lancashire Awards is a great scheme and I support it wholeheartedly."

Graham Pearson, leader of Rossendale Council, said: "The views that can be seen from some of the hills in Rossendale are breathtaking, you can see as far as Manchester and Burnley."

"These awards are a great way to celebrate the unsung heros in East Lancashire. I think it's a great idea because there are a lot of people who don't get the recognition they deserve.

"With the awards these people will be properly recognised for the hard work they do."

Mayor of Rossendale Jimmy Eaton said: "There are lots of things to praise about East Lancashire. I love the valley in particular for it's hilly scenic views, it's great for walking the dog and cycling, and especially for triathalons which I will be taking part in to help raise money for the mayor's charity."

Thisislancashire's special Pride of East Lancashire section...