TODAY we launch our Worcestershire Care Heroes award, to thank the county’s brave warriors of the coronavirus pandemic.

In association with Worcestershire County Council, we’re asking readers of the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal to nominate carers who have been an inspiration during the Covid crisis.

Over the next three weeks, we will profile these heroes in our titles to celebrate them, and ask our readers to vote for their favourite, with the overall winner revealed in our papers on Christmas Eve.

Thanks to sponsors Waitrose and Iconic Beautique, our Worcestershire Care Hero 2020 will win a Christmas to remember, with prizes totalling £530 in value. They are:

  • Waitrose in Worcester's Christmas hamper, a case of Christmas wines and a £100 gift card, worth a total of £250.
  • Iconic Beautique salon in Evesham’s Complete Festive pamper package worth £280, which includes a 60-minute facial, 60-minute massage, pedicure and manicure, full hair treatment and cut and blow dry with salon manager and art director, James.

Michael Purton, editor of the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal, said: “During the Covid pandemic, we have rightly thanked our NHS doctors and nurses for their incredible efforts, but the nation’s carers deserve just as much recognition because they have been truly heroic in their unstinting dedication in looking after the vulnerable.

“Carers have put their own health on the line to continue providing fantastic care throughout the coronavirus crisis, so we want to celebrate Worcestershire’s care heroes with this competition, to thank them for their amazing efforts.

“We want to celebrate all kinds of carers – those who work in a residential home, those who provide home care visits and those who care for a relative or friend. I urge all of our readers who have been helped by a carer, whether it’s them personally, a relative or a friend, to nominate that carer for our award. Although they may not win the award, the recognition of being featured in the newspapers will mean so much to them.”

Councillor Adrian Hardman, cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care at Worcestershire County Council, said: “There are not enough words to describe how important carers across the county are to us all year round, making sure our residents stay safe and well. Their kindness, dedication and devotion to keeping our loved ones safe and well throughout the pandemic continues to be inspirational and truly humbling.

“I’d like to thank all of our carers who give up their time to care for someone, whether that be a family member, friend or neighbour. Their work is part of the togetherness and the community spirit that we’ve all generated during this time . It will be remembered for years to come, and it’s something we can all be immensely proud of.

“So we’re very proud as the county council to support the Worcestershire Care Heroes campaign. It recognises the outstanding contribution of our carers during this most difficult of times, our carers and health workers have really exemplified the true meaning of what it means to be a hero.”

The county’s MPs have also supported Worcestershire Care Heroes.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “The huge challenges facing everyone during this pandemic have been even greater for carers but never has their work been more important or their care more of a lifeline for those they support. I know that carers across both the private and public sector do vital work supporting people all year around every year.”.

“This year in particular, we should say thank you to carers and I am delighted to support the Worcester News’ campaign to do so. I hope people from across Worcester will nominate someone who makes a difference to them and their loved ones – lifts spirit and makes life better by providing care.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, commented: “We’ve always known that care workers are highly valued and anyone who has a loved one in a care setting knows what an amazing job they do. Unfortunately the coronavirus outbreak has made their jobs much more challenging and it is right that we pay proper tribute to care workers across the county. It is a pleasure to support this campaign and I hope readers will be able to share their amazing stories about our care heroes and heroines.”

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, added: “There are many unsung heroes in the constituency who need recognition, none more deservingly than carers. I commend all those people who have continued to look after the most vulnerable throughout the pandemic. I know that so many people’s lives have been changed with the actions of carers – whether that’s through visits, phone calls and general help. In a time where it is very easy to become isolated, carers have such a huge impact on the lives of those they look after and I’m delighted that this award will shine a light on our very own care heroes.”

You can vote for your Worcestershire Care Hero 2020 by filling in the form in the newspaper.

You can also vote by emailing michael.purton@newsquest.co.uk. Please put ‘Worcestershire Care Heroes 2020’ as the subject of the email, and include the following information:

  • The name of the carer
  • Where they work
  • Why you think they deserve to win the award
  • Your name and your contact phone number so that we can call you in order to gather details for the feature profiling the carer you’ve nominated.

The deadline for voting is 10am on Monday, December 21.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve.