Entries have been coming in thick and fast for the Oxfordshire Health & Care Awards, and there’s still plenty of time to put nominees forward.

For the past 12 months, emergency services and health workers across Oxfordshire have put their community first, selflessly caring for the ill and most vulnerable at great psychological and personal cost. Now is your chance to return the favour and honour these everyday heroes.

From intensive care doctors tackling Covid-19 head-on to volunteers making sure no-one, especially the most isolated, falls through the net during lockdown, we want to hear the untold stories of ordinary people responding to this unprecedented crisis in extraordinary ways.

Paula Kross, from Kriss Kross Hair and Beauty in Carterton, has been nominated for the Unsung Hero in the Community award by Carla Timms.

Carla said: “Paula has had to deal emotionally and financially with her business being closed during lockdowns but has done absolutely everything to support everyone else around her. She is such an inspiration, she has given up her time, raised money for charity and organised a food bank all whilst trying to keep a business a float and her family and staff safe.”

Andrew Connell, from Headington, thinks the Good Nurse Award should go to Community Heart Failure Nurse Hayley Osborne.

He said: “Hayley is a bubbly and always happy nurse ,who visits patients in their visits patients in their homes to ensure their medication is doing its job and not having a detrimental effect on the patient. When she was treating my brother, she went out of her way to secure fast-track funding for a care home placement in a local care home. Unfortunately, my brother was too ill to leave the JR, and sadly died shortly afterwards. This selfless act was not part of her daily job, but she did it anyway.”

Editor of the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times, Pete Gavan, said: “We’ve been amazed by the response to the awards and extremely moved by the stories you’ve shared with us so far.

“Reading about the extraordinary lengths healthcare workers have gone to to care for the acutely sick has been inspiring and truly humbling. Whatever the outcome, every nominee is a winner in our eyes.”

The finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and the winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast live on our Facebook page on May 21. The jury will also present one exceptional finalist with the coveted Outstanding Contribution to Health & Social Care Award.

Health bosses, charities and volunteer groups across the board have thrown their weight behind the awards, urging the community to send in their nominations and show their appreciation.

“The Oxfordshire Health & Care Awards are an excellent opportunity to highlight the critical work of the local health and social care workforce, and celebrate the services they have so tirelessly provided throughout the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Oxfordshire Mind chief executive Dan Knowles. “Every health and social care professional across the country is a hero in the eyes of Oxfordshire Mind.

“It is essential that we show our appreciation to those who have dedicated their time and energy over the last 12 months to some of the most vulnerable within our communities. Do please take the time to nominate anyone who you believe deserves recognition in the Oxfordshire Health & Care Awards.”