Community spirit is alive and well in Sussex

My unsung heroes were volunteers or professionals who make a positive difference to the lives of other people but do not always get financial reward or the recognition they deserve.

At the onset I had only a couple of people in mind but the more research I did, the more it became apparent that there was no shortage of heroes in Sussex.

I met John and Hilary Taylor, from Yew Lane in East Grinstead who, for three decades, have braved all weather conditions to sell second-hand books from an outside stall for charity. They raised £35,000 for the Blonde McIndoe Research Foundation.

Hannah Taylor, a multiple instrument-playing musician from Turners Hill, shunned the limelight to take a job bringing music, laughter and conversation to elderly residents.

I found teachers who went the extra mile to keep their students on the right track, volunteers who ensure that house bound pensioners receive regular supplies of large print and audio books, people visiting prisoners and asylum seekers on a regular basis and several founders of goodwill charities.

My findings made me wonder why so few worthy people are celebrated in our communities.

Are we so obsessed with popular culture and the celebrity that comes from show business that we fail to reward or recognise the champions among us?

The majority of my heroes have never been featured in the press or won awards or been granted knighthoods.

Initiatives like The Argus Community Stars Awards which rewards unsung heroes every year deserves to be emulated and commended.

• To nominate a community hero for The Argus Community Stars Awards visit theargus.co.uk/communitystars

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