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We have seen the true value of our NHS, and a whole slew of workers who perhaps had been overlooked became heroes: supermarket staff, delivery drivers, farmers, public transport workers and so many more. All of these people are unsung, and that’s the true spirit of the Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB.

We celebrate incredible people from all walks of life who selflessly help others and make the lives of the people around them better.

We shine a light on them by sharing their stories, and today we are asking you to tell us about unsung heroes you know, by nominating them for an award.

I think every single one of us has a story of kindness or heroism from the past few months alone, so please tell us yours.

Our team will read and consider everyone to help our panel choose the winners, who will be celebrated in a star-studded prime-time special on ITV this autumn, packed with all the emotional moments and hilarious celebrity surprises you expect from Pride of Britain.

There are so many people who have inspired me.

Like Poppy Jones, a 15-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who set out to do a half-marathon in her wheelchair by completing 700 laps of her garden in Crickhowell, Powys, Mid Wales.

We will celebrate incredible poppy is raising money for Treloar School during lockdown, which she’s had to spend isolated from her brothers.

And 10-year-old Corey Williams, from Rhondda, who decided to do his own Three Peaks challenge for the NHS.

Corey climbed three mountains – one while carrying a sack of spuds – to raise cash for tablet computers so coronavirus patients could keep in touch with their families.

I was very moved to hear of a wonderful 17-year-old care worker from Preston, called Kia Tobin.

Kia noticed that D-Day veteran Ken Benbow, 94, slept each night with a photo of his late wife Ada who had died nine months earlier.

So she presented him with a pillow bearing Ada’s picture and he burst into tears as he hugged it.

There are lockdown heroes in every community, and we’ve highlighted some more on the left.

Remember the shops and restaurants who delivered to help isolated people.

The children who were missing their friends and normality in lockdown, but threw their energy into caring for others.

And the older people who used their strength and determination to do their bit.

Please don’t forget their kindness as lockdown eases.

And please don’t forget the other acts of heroism we celebrate at Pride of Britain.

We want to hear about moments of courage and inspiration, lifesavers young and old, and members of our emergency services who go above and beyond.

Tell us all their stories and nominate them so we can say thank you.

COLONEL SIR TOM MOORE

On April 6, Captain Tom began to walk laps of his garden with the help of his walking frame to raise funds for NHS Charities Together.

He hoped to bring in £1,000 by his 100th birthday.

But he would not stop and continued to walk as donations flooded in – on a vast scale.

On April 23, I surprised him live on Good Morning Britain with the news he is a Pride of Britain winner after thousands of nominations were sent in.

And on the morning of his birthday, on April 30, his fund had reached £32.7million.

Tom went on to achieve a No1 single, was promoted to colonel and received a knighthood from the Queen.

I said: “We came to know him as Captain Tom and he has been so important. During the harder weeks of lockdown, Captain Tom – now Colonel Sir Tom – represented hope. He is a man who has seen so much in his lifetime and is representative of his generation.

“When many were missing grandparents, we loved seeing Captain Tom and his relentless determination to raise money.

“His stoicism and polite, gracious manners make him a wonderful role model.”

ASIYAH and JAWAD JAVED

Shopkeepers Asiyah and Jawad Javed, from Falkirk in Scotland, spent thousands on coronavirus kits to help keep their customers safe.

Asiyah, 34, knew she had to act when she met an elderly lady outside her shop who was crying because she could not get any handwash.

She and her husband Jawad, 35, worked tirelessly to give out more than 2,000 coronavirus kits – containing handwash, hand sanitiser, cleaning wipes and a protective face mask – to elderly and immuno-compromised people.

My view: “At the start of lockdown, when stockpiling was making people angry and scared, Asiyah and Jawad sacrificed their time and money to help others.”

SOCIAL BITE

The founders of homeless help group Social Bite won a Pride of Britain Award in 2019.

When they were forced to shut their cafes during the pandemic, they repurposed their kitchens to make and deliver 4,000 free food packs to help those in hardship.

My view: “Social Bite went over and above. They knew more people than ever needed their help, and they acted swiftly.”

BODMIN BIKERS

A group of bikers formed a volunteer team to collect shopping and medicine for people living in Bodmin, Cornwall.

The bikers – aged 17 to 67 and including a chef, plumber, policeman and NHS worker – made around 12 deliveries a day.

My view: “I love this story because people often misjudge bikers. They’ve been a crucial lifeline for people living remotely.”

FRANK MILLS

Inspired by Captain Tom, a six-year-old boy from Bristol with  spina bifida took on a challenge to walk ten metres a day with his walking frame.

Frank Mills set a fundraising target of £99 for NHS Charities Together – but was astounded to see his total soar to more than £300,000.

My view: “When little Frank saw Captain Tom on television, he said to his parents, ‘I want to do that’. He had started to walk with the use of his frame only 18 months beforehand.”

THE BARN KITCHEN

The Coventry restaurant’s staff worked for free to serve up more than 60,000 meals for frontline NHS staff after closing to the public during the lockdown.

They started by making afternoon tea boxes and delivered them to the Warwick, Rugby and University of Coventry Hospitals and they were so well received that they immediately made more the next day.

They also donated £3,500 of their own food and money before starting a public appeal to help ensure NHS staff had easy access to healthy food.

My view: “There is such kindness here, and what they did will have made such a difference to those NHS staff on the frontline.”

NOMINATE YOUR UNSUNG HEROES

Nominations for Pride of Britain 2020 are now open.

You can nominate anyone of any age for a Pride of Britain Award.

It may be for a single act of incredible courage, a long-lasting battle against the odds, or for inspirational campaigning.

Please choose what you feel to be the most suitable category from the list below.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure – some nominees may fit in more than one category, so the Pride of Britain team will make sure all nominations are considered for the most appropriate award.

Winners will be chosen by the Pride of Britain judging panel, from a shortlist produced by the Pride of Britain research team, who will consider every public nomination received.

TSB Community Partner Award
For someone who goes to remarkable lengths to help others lead their best life.

ITV Fundraiser of the Year
For tireless and inspirational charity fundraising, aged 16 and over.

Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year
To reward a young person aged 15 and under for inspirational charity work.

This Morning Emergency Services Award
For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty.

Outstanding Bravery
For adults who risk their own safety to help others in danger.

Child/Teenager of Courage
For battling against the odds to help others, or putting themselves at risk to save someone in danger.

Lifetime Achievement
To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale.

Special Recognition
For achievements not covered in other categories, such as inspiring carers, campaigners and members of armed forces

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