'Life goes on – and that's why they're all truly heroic'

THERE'S often the sense with awards ceremonies that it's somehow the end of the road – the culmination of the award winners' hard work and the pinnacle of their achievements.

Sportsmen are congratulated on a long career and can rest easy in their retirement. Film stars can reflect on a job well done and move on to the next well-paid project.

But for the kind of everyday people celebrated at The Sentinel's Our Heroes awards, life continues.

And that's what makes each and every one of them so heroic.

Because, for all the glitz of the evening, applause is the very last reason why the carers, volunteers and community champions honoured last night do what they do.

What's more, long after the ballgowns and tuxedos have been packed away, they'll still be quietly going about their business, looking after loved ones, neighbours and even complete strangers.

Take the winner of the Bright Young Thing category. Paul Martin is 16 years old.

He's always helped his mum care for his adopted siblings Jack and Stacey, both of whom have learning difficulties.

After his mum suffered a brain haemorrhage, Paul stepped in. He bathes his little brother and has even learnt how to tube feed him.

Then there was the runner up in the Adult Carer Of The Year category. Dawn Rollason, pictured, looks after her two children, seven-year-old Owen and 11-year-old Jenny-Lee. They both have serious medical needs and Dawn provides them with round-the-clock care.

"I just do what any parent would do for their kids," she told The Sentinel when interviewed in the run up to the awards.

It was said during the night that people in this area aren't very good at shouting about their achievements. That we're sometimes lacking in self-confidence.

Jan Williams, Robbie's mum, gave a good example of this.

She recalled how a group patronised by her pop star son's charity Give It Sum, were amazed when one day, Robbie paid them a personal visit.

"They thought they weren't good enough," she said. "But they are."

Ultimately that's why nights like the Our Heroes awards are so important.

We need to keep celebrating the everyday, daily and selfless acts of those who would never seek for themselves the recognition that they truly deserve.

Zita Collinson