Award in Sheffield MP Harry's memory

Nominations for Sanctuary Housing’s Shiregreen Community Awards 2017 are now open and residents are being encouraged to put forward local heroes who go above and beyond to help the neighbourhood.

Among this year’s six categories is the Good Neighbour Award, which will be in memory of Harry Harpham and sponsored by his wife Gill Furniss MP. The winner will be a Shiregreen resident who has gone the extra mile for the person next door.

Father-of-two and stepfather-of-three Mr Harpham was the Labour MP for Brightside and Hillsborough until he passed away in February, aged 61.

For the first time, the Shiregreen Community Awards 2017 will also include a new Sporting Hero Award, which shines a light on an outstanding contribution to local sport.

In other categories, residents are being asked to nominate enthusiastic young people for two prizes. The Young Achiever of the Year Award is for 17 to 25 year olds who have made a contribution to the community, and the Karl Barton Award - named after a former resident who was dedicated to helping young people - is for 10 to 16 year-olds for their positive community action.

The David Blunkett Community Safety Award, sponsored by Lord Blunkett, returns to recognise people who help make Shiregreen a safe and friendly place to live.

Colleen Eccles, Sanctuary Housing’s director of neighbourhoods, said: “These awards allow us to shine a light on the exceptional community spirit across Shiregreen and we are honoured to be able to reflect on the life of Harry Harpham.”

Nominations are open until January 9, and can be made by requesting forms from Sanctuary’s Shiregreen Neighbourhood Office in Beck Road; emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 131 3348.