The deadline for votes in this year’s community awards is 5pm ttoday (Tuesday) - so cast your final votes quick!
Over the past five weeks you have been putting forward community heroes and special people deserving of recognition. All these people are remarkable and help to make Grantham an amazing place to live and work.
All you have to do now is cast a vote for your favourite.
All winners will be decided by public vote, and there is no limit on the number of votes you can cast. Winners and runners-up will be announced at a ceremony at the Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham on Tuesday, December 3.
How to vote:
Either fill out a form printed in the Journal, or {http://tinyurl.com/votegranthamisgreat|vote online}
The nominees who need YOUR votes to win an award are:
CHILD ACHIEVER AWARD sponsored by the National Trust: This award recognises children up to the age of 12 who have shown great talent or have triumphed over adversity or disadvantage.
* Konrad Sherwood: He is deaf and has high functioning autism but does not let this hold him back as he helps to run the Grantham Disabled Children’s Society, helping out at events. He also worked hard all summer to gain a Gifted and Talented 11+ pass.
* Amberlie and Elisa Johnson: Despite suffering from physical disability, they continue to take part in ballet and dance classes, with the support of their mother.
* Leon Brackenbury: He suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy but does not let this stop him from doing all his peers do. He is now helping his father to walk again following an accident.
* Jessica Churchill: She suffers with Crohn’s disease but is always smiling. She is a “brave best friend” who never complains despite her suffering. She is “just a star”.
YOUTH ACHIEVER AWARD sponsored by Viking Signs: This award recognises young people aged 13-18 who have outstanding talents or who have achieved against all the odds.
* Laura Graves: Head girl at KGGS, and heavily involved with sports charity Inspire+. Laura is also a brownie and guide young leader and badminton coach and player.
* Georgina Haude: She cares for her two brothers who suffer from autism and ADHD. A “caring, lovely child”, she has succeeded in school and shines in art. Her family is “so proud of her”.
* Annabelle Gascoyne: Despite ill health, including a bilateral lung transplant, Annabelle has shown great courage and doesn’t let it stop her from enjoying school and activities.
* Hayley Milne: She was born with cerebral palsy and suffers from hemiplegia. Despite this, she shows positivity and inner strength and cheerful perserverance.
* Owen Barnes: Born with cystic hygroma, he has endured several operations on his face and tongue. He refuses to let his swollen cheek keep him from enjoying life.
SENIOR ACHIEVER AWARD sponsored by Cash Brokers: This award recognises people over the age of 65 who have refused to let age be a barrier to their being exceptional.
* Kath Gadd: She looks after pensioners at Riverside, cooking their breakfasts and dinners, and makes sure everyone is OK even though she has retired as warden.
* Kevin Doughty: He has dedicated his spare time to his comrades and those affected by conclit through causes such as the Gulf War Memorial Trust.
* Lol Pickin: Aged 72, he has won the Belvoir League Singles Darts for the last three years and many other titles spanning the years. Described as a “truly great sportsman”.
BEST VOLUNTEER AWARD sponsored by Ramada Grantham: This award recognises the people who volunteer in the community, going that extra mile to make a difference.
* Konrad Sherwood: He is deaf and has high functioning autism but does not let this hold him back as he helps to run the Grantham Disabled Children’s Society, helping out at events.
* Kath Gadd: She looks after pensioners at Riverside, cooking their breakfasts and dinners, and makes sure everyone is OK even though she has retired as warden.
* Jackie Whatley: She has volunteered at The Meres for two days a week for over a year, supporting disabled people to do activities and teaching them to swim.
* Kevin Doughty: He has dedicated his spare time to his comrades and those affected by conclit through causes such as the Gulf War Memorial Trust.
* Nigel Parker: He tirelessly runs the Barkston and Syston Cricket Club teams and ground, training children and men and giving many hours of his time to do so.
* Susan Newbatt: She has devoted her time to scouting since the age of 14. Now 48, she is also onvolved with beavers and cubs.
* Dean Fardell: He dedicates his time to coaching and judging amateur boxing, alongside running a business and putting on charity events. He “puts himself before others” and is an “all-round brilliant person”.
* Ben Bembo: A founder of The Naomi Fund which raises money for the Kingfisher Ward at Grantham Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Hertlink at Glenfield.He has helped to raise over £100,000 over the last 12 years.
* Amanda Grie: She volunteers her time to teach children kickboxing, giving many hours of her time. A “hard wokring lady”.
* Darren Witty: He works full-time but still volunteers as a LIVES responder, providing a life-saving service and “selfless duty”.
* Roy Wright: He volunteers many hours of his time to provide entertainment for the people of Grantham; the Christmas market, Grantham Carnival and St George’s Day fun day.
CARER OF THE YEAR AWARD sponsored by the Orders of St John Care Trust: This award recognises people who go beyond the call of duty to care for others.
* Barbara Young: She cares for her husband, Tony, who suffered a stroke last year. He said: “She never complains and nothing is too much trouble. I could not live at home without Barbara; she is the day and night, she is my life.”
* Lee Redshaw: Lee, 19, is a support carer for adults with learning difficulties and the elderly. He loves his job and works all hours when asked.
* Kath Gadd: She looks after pensioners at Riverside, cooking their breakfasts and dinners, and makes sure everyone is OK even though she has retired as warden.
* Brittany Ford: Aged 14, she has helped to care for her mother following a major spine operation, and also a child aged 4.
* Rebecca Mahoney: Aged 13, she looks after her great-grandmother who has dementia, checking on her every day after school.
* Matthew Sherwood: A full-time carer for his disabled wife and son. He also helps out friends and neighbours, and helps to run the Grantham Disabled Children’s Society.
* Canon Christopher Andrews: He has cared for the people of Grantham for 17 years, and made sure that St Wulfram’s Church was ther for all.
* Aaron Whittaker: A carer with MiHomecare, he charms those reluctant to have amale carer, showing his sense of humour, charisma and joyous nature.
* Fay Johnson: The registered manager with MiHomecare, she also calls to see clients. She is “caring, loving and will go that extra mile”.
* Julie Fairbrother: Despite her shyness she is caring and will do anything to help anyone. She works full-time and raises a family.
* Mel Cunnington: Caring and supportive to her colleagues, has a great sense of humour and really cares about her service-users.
* Helen Graves: A “great carer, genuine, lovely person”, she goes that extra mile for service-users and gives them great support.
* Zenda Dempster: Employed at Gregory House, she works tirelessly for the residents and takes the time to talk to them individually. She also supports her colleagues and always lends an extra hand.
* Angela Taylor: She has come through follicular lymphoma and now takes care of a friend who suffers from bipolar borderline personality disorder, picking up her prescriptions, taking her to appointments and encouraging her out of the house. She is an “inspiration”.
TOP TEACHER AWARD sponsored by Moy Park: This award recognises the teachers who inspire, lead and educate.
* Emma Harkins, of Huntingtower Primary School: She “makes everything fun and exciting” and is “amazing at maths” and helping pupils to learn.
* Jane Anderson, of Little Gonerby Infant School: Goes above and beyond to do all she can on an educational level, as well as social and emotional. She has “truly made a major difference”.
* Jamie Grossmith, of Belton Lane Primary School: A “top class teacher” with a bubbly nature, who has the love and respect of pupils. A “great role model”.
* Barbara Bowden: A pupil nominated her because she gave her free time to give one-to-one tuition, allowing this pupil to succeed in English where they were predicted to fail.
CARING NEIGHBOUR AWARD sponsored by SKDC: This award recognises the people whoe neighbourly care touches the lives of those around them.
* Bruce Wells: He often helps his neighbour Joyce, night or day. She said: “Nothing is too big a job for him.”
* Kath Gadd: She looks after pensioners at Riverside, cooking their breakfasts and dinners, and makes sure everyone is OK even though she has retired as warden.
* Emily Hallam: She always there for her neighbours, offering transport for surgery visits and providing meals.
* Matthew Sherwood: A full-time carer for his disabled wife and son. He also helps out friends and neighbours, and helps to run the Grantham Disabled Children’s Society.
* Barrie Cox: He has helped neighbours in Manners Street for many years, voluntarily and without reward. He is also on hand to help resident in the Greyfriars complex.
* Chloe Johnson: She takes elderly neighbours shopping, helps with their meals and walks their dogs. She is “polite, caring and a joy to talk to. Selfless”.
LOCAL HERO AWARD sponsored by Downtown: This award recognises the people who have done truly remarkable things to improve the lives of people in Grantham.
* Jackie Whatley: She has run her business for 21 years, carrying on during bouts of ill health. She has also raised a lot of money for charity.
* Kevin Doughty: He has dedicated his spare time to his comrades and those affected by conclit through causes such as the Gulf War Memorial Trust.
* Sue Harris: She organises events at The Meres for people with learning difficulties, putting on and helping with various activities. She will help anyone who needs it and is passionate about helping adults with learning difficulties.
* Canon Christopher Andrews: He has cared for the people of Grantham for 17 years, and made sure that St Wulfram’s Church was ther for all.
* Mark Angeloni: He set up the Naomi Bike Challenge in aid of The Naomi Fund, in which 28 people took part and raised just under £21,000.
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD available for sponsorship: This award will go to a sportsperson – old or young, professional or amateur – who has been highly successful in any sport, either locally or nationally.
* Laura Graves: Heavily onvolved with sports charity Inspire+. Laura is also a badminton coach and player, named Badminto Young Coach of the Year in 2012.
* Lol Pickin: Aged 72, he has won the Belvoir League Singles Darts for the last three years and many other titles spanning the years. Described as a “truly great sportsman”.
* Mark Fardell and Jason Harrison: Joint managers of Harrowby United, the pair have worked hard to get the club going.
* Lisa Spencer: A fund-raiser, she has run the Silverstone half-marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and a half-marathon for Cancer Research UK.
* Nathan Wallace: He has reached the senior novice Amateur Boxing Association quarter finals twice. He has won the East Midlands and Midlands middleweight titles and also the central area middleweight belt. He “flies the Grantham flag with pride”.
* Hannah Noutch: She has a passion for table tennis and has played for many years. Although she has been in a wheelchair recently, she looks forward to getting a sports wheelchair to continue in the sport.
* Josh Brown: An elite athlete who competed at county, regional, national and international level. He has won medals in hurdles, high junp and relay.