By Bejay Browne
THE nomination process for the ninth annual Paphos Heart of Gold Award is now open, while two new categories have been added.
The philanthropic, community-based awards aim to recognise those who have shown tremendous courage, strength and determination, worked tirelessly within the community or for charities, overcome tragedies with a smile or have simply been a great help and support to neighbours and friends.
The ninth annual Paphos Hearts of Gold Award ceremony will be held at Palia Ilekriki Cultural Centre in Paphos on Friday December 11. Nominees and their families will be invited to attend the ceremony.
Marios Joannou Elia, Ambassador of tourism for Cyprus, has been named this year’s Patron, for a second year. The Paphos Zingers will provide a festive welcome and snacks and drinks will be available at the venue after the ceremony.
“It is an honour to be the patron of this important philanthropic community-based award for the second year, which promotes courage and courageous behaviour, as well as ethical values. All these are indicators of our cultural status,” Joannou Elia said.
He continued: “Last year’s awards were extremely successful, with close to 40 nominees. This year is going to be even more special, as two new awards have been added. I am very much looking forward to meeting the nominees and their families at the event.”
A charity worker who has devoted her life to caring for and supporting others, and a budding young dancer who helps other people’s dreams come true, were the winners of last year’s awards.
Sally Unsworth and teenager Nina Christodoulou were chosen by a panel of ten judges and announced by the Patron.
The Junior Heart of Gold award is open for those under 18, and the Heart of Gold award is for adults.
This year, organisers are also introducing the Paphos Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement award for outstanding dedication to the community; this award may also be given posthumously.
The Paphos Heart of Gold Jasmitha Singh Award for Courage will also be presented for the first time, and is open to children under the age of 15 who have shown determination, resilience and strength when faced with difficulties.
This award is in honour of a previous winner of the Junior Heart of Gold award, Jasmitha Marharjasingh, who recently passed away aged just 15. The award will be presented to the winner by her mother, Sathiya Singh.
Members of the public are now invited to put forward names of both adults and children that they feel are deserving of this year’s award. The awards are open to everyone who is a resident of Paphos, of all ages and nationalities and winners are chosen by a panel of ten judges.
Aphrodite jewellers in Paphos each year donates a hand crafted gold heart on a pin, which is the winners’ to keep. This year’s adult winner will also receive a weekend break with dinner at the five star Almyra hotel in Paphos.
Nominations should be between 50-150 words and include contact details of the nominee, along with the person nominating them, to ensure conformation of receipt
Nominations can be made to Paphos Hearts of Gold 2015, PO Box 64142, Paphos, 8072, Cyprus. The award also has a dedicated Facebook page. [email protected] The closing date is Saturday December 5. The Paphos Hearts of Gold Award 2015 is supported by the Cyprus Mail newspaper, Sunshine Radio, the Paphos Post, the British High Commission in Nicosia, the Paphos municipality social welfare committee, Aphrodite Jewellers, Massiva printers and Palia Ilektriki Restaurant.
