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Local people are my heroes

It seems that sports stars and entertainment celebrities are often treated as heroes by many people.

It seems that sports stars and entertainment celebrities are often treated as heroes by many people.

And some highly paid people receive government honours just for doing what they were paid to do.  I have a different set of (local) heroes to suggest, based on a different set of values, that I’d like to honour.  And ladies, I’m including heroines in heroes.

• Volunteer firefighters in all our local departments;

• All first responders — fire, forest fire crews, police and ambulance staff;

• Search and rescue — volunteers like Arrowsmith S & R, Coast Guard, military pilots and SAR techs — putting themselves at risk to save others;

• Snow plow drivers — they go out in the most miserable conditions to clear roads so we can drive safely;

• Hydro crews — again, going out in miserable conditions to restore power for the safety and comfort of the rest of us;

• Emergency response and Red Cross staff and volunteers;

• Hospice volunteers — supporting people in their end-of-life time of need — facing death is never easy;

• Workers in hospitals and care homes and volunteers who visit elderly people in our care facilities (if you think that’s easy, please go and do it regularly — so many residents will appreciate visitors);

• Parents, both couples and single parents, who commit their lives to caring for children or other family members with special needs — that can be a very long term commitment at huge personal sacrifice!

• Volunteers in food banks and homeless ministries;

• And other volunteers and positions I have failed to mention that are focused on helping others, often at risk or emotional cost to themselves.

THANK YOU! You are my heroes!

Andy PickardDashwood