Help us find Southend’s Diamond Jubilee Community Champions

As part of the Council's celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's 60th year on the throne it is asking residents to nominate fellow citizens who make a positive contribution to life in Southend.

A specially-selected panel of judges will select the 60 most deserving nominees who will be invited along with their chosen partners to a special community celebration in the town.

Nominees will ideally be people whose good deeds haven't previously been acknowledged publicly or have gone largely unnoticed by their neighbours and friends.

They might be unsung community volunteers who give up their time to clear up litter - or helpful neighbours who offer to go to the shops for elderly residents during bad weather.

Or they might be young children who show a maturity well beyond their years by acting as carers for their siblings, parents or grandparents.

Any resident of the borough who goes the extra mile to help their family, friends or the community of Southend at large will be considered by the judging panel.

The nominees selected by the judging panel will be invited to a community reception attended by The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Sally Carr, Youth Mayor Zeeshan Mitha and Deputy Youth Mayor Martin Skam.

The Diamond Jubilee Community Champions celebration will take place at a soon-to-be announced venue in Southend on Wednesday 29th August.

Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, said: "We're using the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations to honour Southend's unsung heroes.

"We want residents to nominate people in their local communities who really make a difference to the quality of life in the town, whether they're young or old, male or female.

"We know there are myriads of people in Southend who do good work for the town but we want people's help to find those diamonds in the community who haven't had any recognition yet.

"All they have to do is visit our website and fill in a few details about the person they want to nominate. It couldn't be simpler.

"Our judging panel will choose the most deserving nominees and all 60 of them will be invited along with a partner to a special celebration event where we can make a fuss of them.

"They will be presented with commemorative certificates and get to meet the Mayor and Youth Mayors. It promises to be a wonderful evening."

To nominate your 'Southend Diamond Jubilee Community Champion' online go to www.southend.gov.uk/communitychampions

Alternatively, pick up a printed nomination form at any branch or mobile library in the town. Completed forms can also be returned through all libraries.

Terms and conditions apply. Please see the website or the printed nomination form for full details.