Nominate today

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Wednesday 21st Sep 2005.

TODAY marks your last chance to get nominations in for this year's People Awards and recognise the selfless work and courage of heroes from the community.

The awards, now in their second year, are an opportunity to say thank you and well done to those who give up their time to help others, have shown determination in the face of adversity, or have simply brightened up the lives of those around them.

Nominations have flooded into the Journal office, telling of boundless generosity, incredible courage and heroism, and telling of those who work so hard to improve the lives of others.

All age groups, from teenagers right through to pensioners have been represented as deserving of appreciation. If you think someone you know is a hero, nomination forms must reach us by the end of tomorrow if they are to be considered for the October 16 ceremony, which is to be held at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Between now and then we will continue to bring you the stories of some of the wonderful people who have inspired others to put them forward.

The People Awards are hosted by the Journal and Spire FM, and sponsored by Soltice Park and British Gas.

Sandy's 30-year involvement in city's Scouting scene

FOR more than 30 years Sandy Yeates has been involved in Salisbury's Scouting movement, including 18 years at the helm of a pack for those with special needs.

The 60 year old from Porton has run the 2nd Salisbury Scout group especially for children and adults with disabilities or special needs since it was founded in 1987.

The pack, which has 40 members aged from six upwards, meets every week in Salisbury United Reformed Church, and functions just like any other Scout group.

"It's very rewarding to get these youngsters to achieve things that no-one thought they could do - the amount you get out of it is fantastic," said Mrs Yeates.

"We do all sorts - abseiling, all the district events, parades, camps and even a trip to a Jamboree in Holland. "Somebody told me I wouldn't be able to do it, so I just did it. But I couldn't do it all without my team of fantastic leaders.

"A lot of the older members have never been in a group like this before and seeing them at camp was wonderful."

An active member of the United Reformed Church, Mrs Yeates is also involved in several other community groups, like the lunch club for the elderly.

"As my husband says - I'm never in!" she said.

Neighbour: Our village has so much to thank Betty for

NO LESS than 35 people have nominated Betty Keith for the People Awards for her tireless contribution to village life in Frogham, near Fordingbridge.

The 79-year-old has been put forward because, in the words of nominator Heather Richards: "Our village has so much to thank Betty for - I don't know what we'd do without her."

Mrs Keith makes a point of helping others whenever she can, taking residents to hospital appointments, doing their shopping when they are ill, taking them meals, or simply paying them a visit.

A member of the WI, she can also be found helping organise or run any village function, such as the monthly Link Lunch for the elderly, which she cooks for.

Mrs Keith has also been heavily involved in the campaign to save Fordingbridge Hospital, even helping carry a symbolic coffin at a recent protest rally.

"I just do what anybody would do if they were able to," said Mrs Keith modestly.

"I've lived here off and on for 45 years and I love it. I love the village - it has a wonderful support group and I've so many friends here, I just do what I can while I still can."

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