Heroes have a night to remember

6 June, 2005

Three months ago, the Evening News called on our readers to blow the trumpets of the unsung heroes in our community.

We wanted to hear about the people who represented all that was great about our fine city.

From the courageous to the hard working, the community spirited to the inspirational, we asked you to tell us about their amazing stories so that we could give them the credit they deserved.

Following the launch we received dozens and dozens of remarkable nominations for our nine categories, which were last month shortlisted to just three per field by our panel of judges.

On Friday night, the winners were announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Dunston Hall.

For many of the 200 or so guests it was a truly humbling experience as host Karl Minns recounted tales of courage, decency and triumph over adversity to a silenced and visibly moved audience.

Kicking off the proceedings after an immaculately prepared three-course dinner, Evening News editor David Bourn told the captive audience why he believed that celebrating society’s unsung heroes was so important.

“I firmly believe that a local newspaper is the glue that binds a local community together, the vehicle through which ordinary families can hold people in public office, who spend the public purse, accountable for their actions,” he said.

“But just as importantly we are here to celebrate everything that is good about this wonderful city we all live in, and to recognise the people who go that extra yard, a selfless band of individuals who sacrifice so much to make life that little bit better for the rest of us mere mortals.

“Every day the pages of the Evening News are filled with stories about individuals who make a real difference to other people’s lives in the communities they live in.

“This is a unique opportunity to recognise these amazing people — very ordinary folk who have done some very special things and who richly deserve a moment or two in the spotlight.

“It’s our chance to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the unsung heroes whose noble and selfless actions put the rest of us to shame.”

Nick Hammond, who was speaking on behalf of event sponsors Stena Line, said the company was proud to be part of such a worthwhile event.

“These awards are really valuable and people really care about them,” he said.

“In this day and age it is so rewarding to see examples of true community spirit and bravery.
Looking at the list of nominees I can begin to understand what difficult a job it must have been for the judges to choose the winners. If it was up to me I would have given all of you the prizes.”

Next to take the stage was Mr Minns — Evening News columnist and one half of the hugely popular Norfolk comedy duo the Nimmo Twins — who wasted no time at all in sticking his boot into Norwich with his razor-like wit to a lively and appreciative audience.

After leaving pretty much no area unscathed in his hilarious assault on the city — and most of its inhabitants — Karl got down to the serious business of the night.

“This is the third year I have had the privilege to host these awards and I can honestly say that they never fail to move and inspire me,” he said.

“Tonight we shall hear tales of bravery, selflessness, care, love and determination.

“Each of the finalists here tonight is a winner and deserves your admiration and applause.
“This will be the most inspirational and uplifting night of your life.”

And for many it was just that.



Our Hero of Heroes

There were many worthy contenders for the Hero of Heroes award this year, but in the end the judges knew that there could only ever be one winner.

Will Tweedy receives a kiss from mum Lorraine after the brave 12-year-old was named our Hero of Heroes at this year’s Evening News Local Heroes awards ceremony.

Aged just 12, Will Tweedy has spent his whole life battling life-threatening illnesses, survived a double organ transplant and endured more than 40 operations.

For his first 11 years, Will, from Mile End Road, Norwich, was fed intravenously, but now, following last year’s liver and small bowel transplants, he is learning to eat normally for the first time in his life.

Today he is enjoying life at Colman Middle School in South Park Avenue, recently did a 30-mile sponsored bike ride for Quidenham Hospice and is setting his sights on competing at the Transplant Games.

He was nominated for the Brave Child of the Year award by his proud mother Lorriane, 40.
“He has always accepted everything that’s been thrown at him and remained a happy child,” the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital nurse told the Evening News.

“He has endured so much in his life, and still has a way to go. But he is always thankful for his transplant and says, ‘look at me, I’m living proof it works’, to everyone he meets.”

Will was born 10 weeks prematurely with a rare condition — classed under the umbrella term of intestinal pseudo-obstruction — which means he cannot eat.

Every time his parents tried to feed him he would have a severe reflux and vomit and was unable to absorb food. They were told such was the rarity of the condition that there were likely to be only a few children in the world who were in a similar way.

Will said he was “gob-smacked” at winning the top award.

“I never thought that I would win the Hero of Heroes — it’s really cool,” he said. “I thought there were some amazing cases so I feel really proud to have won.”

Chris Mcphee, marketing manager for Stena Line and Local Heroes awards panellist, said Will had stood out in all of the judges’ minds.

“He touched our hearts in a particular way and we wanted him to be recognised for that,” he said.