Pride in Bedford is getting closer to its glittering gala awards night, but first we need your help to decide the winner of our final very special trophy.

The People's Choice Award is chosen exclusively by the public and is your opportunity to ensure Bedford's unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve.

Nominees up for this award include young England tennis ace Joshua Sapwell, Olympic basketball star Conner Washington, award-winning first aider Lucie Frezza, scout leader Howard Valentine and academic achiever Emma Wong.

Community groups the Kings Arms Project, which helps the homeless, and the Bedford Bangladeshi Women's Association are also looking for your votes, as are the Santosh Asian Women's Refuge, Grace Community Church and counselling service The Grove Pregnancy Crisis and Abortion Centre.

Caring Clapham postie John Warner, top hairdresser and businesswoman Kerry Cash, nationally-respected photographer Kacey Jones and community worker James Playle are all deserving of the Pride in Bedford People's Choice Award, but will need your votes to win it.

As will youth leader for boys with physical disabilities Michelle Eglington, Bedford/Jersey Arts Festival organiser Sandra Dudley, Prebend Street Day Centre community worker Ian O'Connell, RAF Cadet Force leader Charles Blacklock and the organisers of Bedford Fringe arts festival.

And finally, but certainly not least, you can vote for scout leader Graeme Watt, street dance teacher Marianne Dent, carer Toni Lowe, litter pick organiser John Parker, England netball star Eleanor Durcan, neighbourhood watch stalwart Mahmoud Mehdizadeh or community cop PC Dave Hawkey.

But it's not just individuals you can vote for. Fabulous service and customer care means the team from Limes Cafe, Colemans stationers, 5th Avenue Hair & Beauty, Morgan Pell Meats, Tavistock Sound & Vision and WH Smith employee Harminder Mahi are all up for the People's Choice Award too.

Be sure to get your text votes in by the end of Wednesday, April 29, so we can present your winner with their prize at the Pride In Bedford Awards' ceremony, held at The Park Inn Hotel on May 7.





How to vote


To cast a vote for the Pride in Bedford nominee you reckon should win our People's Choice Award, all you have to do is text BEDPRIDE (space) and the name of the nominee you want to vote for, as featured on this page, together with your name and full postal address to 81800.

The vote line will stay open until April 29, and we will be announcing a winner on May 7.

So if you want to have your say who wins this special award, get voting now.

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