THE Greenock Telegraph is today launching an exciting new event to reward and recognise our amazing health care heroes.

As we approach one year since coronavirus sent the country into a national lockdown, we are stepping forward to invite readers to tell us about the loyal health and care professionals who have gone the extra mile.

These frontline workers have been called upon like never before yet they have risen to the challenges presented by the global pandemic.

They have overcome incredible adversity and shown tremendous strength, courage and compassion to serve their local communities.

They have put us first when we needed them most - and now we want to say thank you.

Here at the Greenock Telegraph, we want to share their stories and create a permanent record of their outstanding and selfless achievements.

That is why we are asking our readers, our communities and our local businesses to get behind the Tele's Health and Care Awards 2021.

We are asking for your nominations from today, with entries in our ten categories listed below open until March 31.

We will then take these to our esteemed judging panel before the winner are announced at a gala event that will be streamed on Wednesday April 15. And of course, taking the ceremony to a virtual platform allows us to invite more people.

Attendance to the event will be unlimited and allow access not just for sponsors of the individual awards and nominated individuals, but also their family and friends.

The categories are Health Care Team Award, Care Hero Award, Care Home Worker of the Year, Nurse of the Year, Young Adult and Child Care Award, Dementia Carer of the Year, Palliative Carer of the Year Award, Mental Health Carer Award, Young Carer of the Year and Doctor/GP of the Year.

Full details of these can be found on our dedicated event website.

Brian Hossack, Greenock Telegraph editor, said: “This is a chance to acknowledge and celebrate some amazing people in our health and care sectors.

"From our dedicated hospital staff at Inverclyde Royal to the selfless team at Ardgowan Hospice, we are blessed with some incredible people who go above and beyond every day to keep us safe.

"There is also amazing work done in our communities at every level in the care sector and these awards are our chance to shine a light on these unsung heroes and say thank you.

"We hope Inverclyde will get behind them and share with us the stories of the people who deserve special recognition.

"While it will be a very different evening from our Community Champions, we are sure it will be equally moving and humbling. It is something we are all very much looking forward to."

Telegraph sales manager Jolene McGhee, said: “We think the community will get right behind this event to help us recognise some truly unsung heroes.”

Our event website, where you can find out more about the awards and put forward your nominations, is now live.

Visit http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/healthandcare/ and tell us about your local health care heroes.