Remarkable people, including a young woman who recently underwent a heart transplant operation, were honoured after a local search to find Everyday Heroes.

In keeping with the spirit of the Olympic Games, the Four Seasons Shopping Centre, Mansfield, launched an online campaign to find people who deserved a medal for the effect they have on other people’s lives.

“As the world was lavishing praise on its sporting heroes, we wanted to do something to honour those people who do the extraordinary every day by making a difference to someone’s life,” said Four Seasons manager Rebekah O’Neill.

“Everyone’s idea of a hero is different, which is why we thought it would be great to give people a platform to publicly thank and acknowledge those who they admire and appreciate. The response was fantastic.”

Nominations were open during the Rio Olympics, coinciding with the centre’s summer of free Buzzy B children’s clubs.

Rebekah said: “We were inundated with dozens of nominations, and in keeping with the spirit of the games we then selected our bronze, silver and gold award winners.

“They were all presen
ted with a certificate and also a Four Seasons gift card so that they could treat themselves.”
Gold winner Rachael Hammond, of Clipstone, was nominated by her sister, Emily, who said: “My sister has been fighting life with congenital heart disease for 25 years and has just received the greatest gift in life — a new heart.

“She is such an inspiring young lady. She spent five months living in the hospital until a heart become available for her. She wasn’t just a short distance away from home, she was up in Newcastle, hundreds of miles away from family and friends. She still had the strength and courage to carry on.
“Just six weeks post-transplant, she is home now and adjusting back to normal life.

“A spot of retail therapy is just what she needs after spending so much time stuck in a hospital.”

The silver award was presented to Nick Rowe, of Mansfield, after his wife, Rosemary, nominated him through Facebook. “My Everyday Hero is my hubby, Nick, who supports other disabled anglers like himself,” she said. “He is always ready to chat to those suffering cancer (like himself) — and happy to share his experiences and listen to their troubles.

“He rarely admits to being in pain and is a proper cheerful soul, my best friend and soulmate.”

Busy mum, grandmother and daughter Jackie Martin, of Rainworth, won bronze award.

Her daughter, Laura, said: “She’s amazing. She has a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone. She always puts everyone else first.

“She helps out loads with her mum, who is nearly 90, walking over two hours a day to help care for her.

“She helps out with all her grandchildren, she will go and help anyone at the drop of a hat.”

Rebekah said it had been moving to meet the winners and the people who nominated them.

Going for Gold – From left, Everyday Hero gold winner Rachael Hammond is presented with her award by Four Seasons Centre manager Rebekah O’Neill, watched by her sister, Emily, who nominated her.
The winners of the Everyday Heroes awards.