The Times is today helping to launch a new set of awards for the Thetford area that will celebrate the people, groups and businesses which make our community what it is. But we need your help.
From volunteers, to community groups, to charity fund-raisers and benevolent businesses, we all know someone who goes beyond the call of duty to make others’ lives better.
Their actions can be the difference between an event going ahead or not, or a group of children being able to play once a week, or a vulnerable person being kept safe. In some situations, it can be a difference between life or death.
Despite the generosity, compassion, dedication and selflessness of those actions, all too often the contributions can go under the radar.
That’s why Mark Robinson, a town and district councillor and local businessman, is launching the TARAs - the Thetford Awards Recognising Achievement awards.
Backed by the Times, the awards will reward people whose work, whether professional, charitable, or just neighbourly, has made a difference to our town and its people.
People will be recognised in six categories: Good Neighbour, Business, Young Person, Sporting, Volunteer and Bravery.
Nobody knows Thetford better than our readers, so we need your nominations in each of the categories to make sure everyone who deserves their moment in the spotlight has a chance.
The winners will pick up their awards at a black tie ceremony at the Carnegie Rooms on January 29, 2016.
Mark Robinson said his family life and work in the town had shown him Thetford is full of generous people who deserve recognition.
“This is a celebration of the many positive aspects and people within the town and a chance to highlight the contributions from businesses, individuals and others that don’t receive the recognition that’s richly deserved.
“The awards have been a long time in the planning and we are really excited to get the ball rolling for nominations,” he said.
Times editor Andrew Fitchett echoed Mr Robinson, saying the awards were long overdue.
“We see the selfless, dedicated work that people carry out in Thetford in the pages of the newspaper every week, and I’m constantly amazed by what people can do with no regard for themselves.
“The TARAs are a fantastic opportunity for people who deserve the recognition for their great contributions,” he said.
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