Hidden heroes awards - Co. Antrim nominees sought

County Antrim entries are now being sought for the 2012 ‘Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards’.

Created by premier hearing healthcare provider Hidden Hearing Northern Ireland, the initiative honours those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and have made a significant contribution to society, their community, workplace, family or through sporting excellence.

Members of the County Antrim public can nominate their ‘hero’ who they feel deserves to be recognised for an Award across several different categories and nominees can also put themselves forward for an award. Submissions can be made by email, post or by Irish Sign Language through video. Two new award categories, a student award and an organisation award, have been introduced this year, which is the second year of the Awards.

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Discussing the Awards, Stephen Leddy, Managing Director, Hidden Hearing Northern Ireland said: “There are many people in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities who are living proof that being Deaf or hard of hearing does not have to hold you back in life. We want to highlight their great achievements, bring them to the attention of the public and give them the recognition they deserve. The Heroes Awards is the only awards initiative for the Deaf or hard of hearing and I’d encourage anyone in County Antrim who wants to nominate their ‘hero’ to log onto www.hiddenhearing.org and tell us why they deserve an award”.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Dr Nina Byrnes, presenter of RTE’s Health of the Nation and Medical Advisor to Hidden Hearing Northern Ireland said: “The Heroes Awards help create awareness about the Deaf and hard of hearing communities in Northern Ireland. This year the Awards have been expanded to include an award for a student and for an organisation which works on behalf of Deaf or hard of hearing communities, so we’re expecting a significant amount of entries”.

There are nine Award Categories in total this year:

· Social Contribution Award - recognising contributions to society / communities

· Workplace Award - an award for someone who has excelled in the workplace

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· Youth Award - for those aged between 6 – 18 who have achieved much in their young lives

· Grandparent Award – nominations for a special grandparent

· Sportsperson Award – recognising outstanding sporting achievement

· Media Award – for a campaigner who has highlighted topics related to those who are Deaf or hard of hearing

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· Lifetime Achievement Award – for an individual who has played a key role over their lifetime.

· Student Award – an award for a Deaf / hard of hearing student who has excelled at second or third level education.

· Organisation Award – for an organisation that works on behalf of or in conjunction with Deaf / hard of hearing communities.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.hiddenhearing.org or by filling out an entry form in Hidden Hearing’s 11 branches and clinics throughout Northern Ireland.

The winners of the Heroes Awards will be announced at an Awards ceremony later this year.

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