Nominations open for 'unsung heroes' medal

Nineteen of the medals have been handed out so far

Nominations have opened for an award created to celebrate "unsung heroes" in a county.

The Suffolk Medal is awarded by the charity Suffolk Community Foundation, which said it was the county's "highest honour".

The charity said it was looking to "increase the diversity of people who are receving the medals".

Hannah Bloom, its chief executive, said: "We tend to get more males nominated than females and we know there are lots of fantastic females out there doing fantastic things, and we really want to get people from diverse cultures as well".

Hannah Bloom said Suffolk Community Foundation wanted a wider diversity of people to be nominated for the medal

Anyone who is living in Suffolk can be nominated, but people cannot nominate themselves.

Nineteen people have been given the medals since the scheme started in 2019.

The charity said nominations should be for "the unsung heroes who have made a lasting and positive difference to the community".

Ms Bloom said: "Too often, the people who make the biggest difference are the least likely to seek recognition.

"That's why your nomination is so important — it's a chance to say thank you, shine a light on quiet heroes and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

"We always welcome a diverse range of nominations, but this year we are especially keen to hear about the women who make Suffolk shine."

A panel will meet in November to discuss the nominees, with the successful candidates presented with their medals on the next annual Suffolk Day, which will be 21 June 2026.