Last chance to nominate for Local Hero Awards

Last year's winners Sheila and Freddie Buchanan. Picture: comp

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, June 5 at the Assembly Rooms.

The competition includes 13 categories and will culminate in the highest honour, the Local Hero Award, which will be given to an exceptional individual who stands head and shoulders above the other candidates.

In attendance will be a panel of judges including Frank O’Donnell, managing editor of The Scotsman, Evening News and Scotland on Sunday.

He said: “I would urge everyone who knows a worthy candidate to vote and help their own local hero get the recognition they deserve.

“This is your last chance to nominate those who have made a huge difference in our lives, whether they are inspirational teachers and carers, or those who refuse to let disability stand in their way.

“These are the people who go above and beyond to help those in need, who brighten the Capital with a thousand simple acts of kindness and who encourage others to be the best that they can be.

“Many of them have shown exceptional courage, battled through adversity or gone above and beyond in the line of duty.

“Others have made a profound difference by fighting for their community or have made great personal sacrifices.”

Entertainers on the night will include soul choir Edinburgh’s Got Soul and Edinburgh’s School Rock Ensemble, a band made up of students from high schools in Edinburgh including Leith Academy, Queensferry High and Firrhill High School.

Scott Hoatson, best known for his role in BBC Three comedy drama Bluestone 42, will be hosting the event.

He was raised in Portobello, where he attended Duddingston Primary and Portobello High School. He studied drama at the Queen Margaret University.

Last year’s overall winners were Sheila and Freddie Buchanan, who have spent almost three decades fostering and have cared for up to 80 of the city’s most vulnerable teenagers.

Many of them come from broken homes or from families where there is a history of drug and alcohol abuse. They provided a temporary refuge, giving the teenagers a break from a bad time in their lives until things settled down at home.

The couple, who live in Gilmerton, said they had been “overwhelmed” to make the shortlist but nothing prepared them for the shock of winning.

Speaking at the time, Mr Buchanan said: “I would recommend foster caring to anyone. You have to have a sense of humour but the thing you really need above all else is patience.”

Use the form on this page to send in your nominations.

How To Nominate

The Local Hero Awards are open to anyone who lives in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Winners will be announced on Friday, June 5 at the Assembly Rooms.

The easiest way to nominate someone is to visit www.localheroaward.co.uk

This website will allow you to choose which category you wish to enter and tell us all about your nominee.

If you would prefer to enter by post, please send your entry to Edinburgh Evening News, The Local Hero Awards, Orchard Brae House, 30 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 2HS.

Entries must include your name, address and telephone number. Please make it clear which category you wish to enter your nominee for and explain why you think they deserve to win the award.

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday, May 5.