THE moment we've all been waiting for is almost here: next week, we will be able to reveal the finalists of the Oxfordshire Health & Social Care Awards.

In a special supplement, free with the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times on Thursday, April 29, we will introduce you to the top three nominees in each categories, as chosen by our panel of judges.

The winners will then be named at a virtual awards ceremony hosted by GP and TV personality Dr Hilary Jones and streamed live on our Facebook page on May 21 from 7pm.

“I’m absolutely delighted to finally be able to reveal that Dr Hilary Jones will be hosting our awards ceremony,” said editor Pete Gavan. “Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, the ceremony will be held virtually. While we are disappointed not to be able to meet our finalists in person, this will give us the opportunity to open the event to all our readers, wherever they may be. There will be no limit on how many people can attend, so do join us on the night and help us celebrate our worthy winners and runners-up.”

Video profiles of each of the finalists showcasing their incredible work in the fight against coronavirus will be broadcast at the ceremony. The judges will also handpick their overall Health & Social Care hero on the night.

From volunteers and key workers to extraordinary nurses and compassionate carers, scores of everyday heroes have been put forward for an award over the past few weeks. Among the hopefuls in the Volunteer of the Year category is Prabhu Natarajan who not only set up a food bank but raised funds for those hit the hardest by the pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic he has collected and delivered food parcels to people who have struggled and raised money for families in need,” explained Georgina Button, who nominated him. “He set up his own food bank, dressed as Santa and the Easter bunny giving gifts and eggs. He even gave away his own belongings to those who needed them. He selflessly helps feed families and spreads joy wherever he can.”

Courtney Hughes, a healthcare worker who raised £10,000 towards laptops to ensure pupils were able to keep up with their studies during lockdown and supported more than 200 elderly people in Didcot throughout the pandemic, all while suffering from long-term ME, is in the running for the Unsung Hero Award.

“In Didcot alone she has been providing 200 elderly residents with food each week plus essentials,” said Claire Hughes, who put her forward for the award. “Knowing the struggles young people have with digital deprivation, in January she launched Laptops for Learners and helped source £10,000 to purchase 30 new laptops for two local secondary schools. She does this unfunded, independently, whilst working 40 hours a week at John Radcliffe and studying on top of that at Oxford Brooks for a degree. She is a national treasure and has fundamentally changed the lives of many for the better.”