Westmeath community champions sought

Calor, Ireland’s leading supplier of rural energy solutions has recently launched the Calor Community Champion 2013 and is calling on the peole of Westmeath to find local champions.
The all-island initiative is now entering its second year, after an unprecedented response in 2012. Calor is calling out to communities across Westmeath to make their voices heard, and support us to find the local champions across the county who work tirelessly each and every day to improve the lives of the people around them.  
“We at Calor believe it is time that these people were recognised and celebrated, and we’ve set aside a prize fund of over €10,000 to do this!” Calor said in a statement today.
The search has begun for our local unsung heroes, and will be led this year by TV and radio personality, Síle Seoige, legendary GAA broadcaster, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and supported by well-known Northern Ireland chef & broadcaster, Paula McIntyre. This summer Paula, Síle, Micheál and the team at Calor need you to be their eyes and ears in helping to find the Calor Community Champion 2013. To enter and nominate your local Westmeath hero could not be easier; all you need to do is ‘like’ the Calor Facebook page, once you become a ‘fan’ you can enter the Community Champion app. Then just provide Calor with the name of your nominee, contacts details and in 250 words why you think they deserve to win!
Speaking at the official launch, Síle Seoige, TV and radio personality and head of the judging panel said: “It is a privilege to be involved in this great initiative by Calor and one which I am fully behind. I have to say it has been humbling to hear some of the inspiring stories of last year’s nominees, and I am looking forward to placing the spotlight firmly on our local heroes across island this year, who really are each and every community’s local heroes. You all know who they are, so give them the recognition they truly deserve. I am looking for nominations to come from every corner of Westmeath, so get nominating today!”
The winner of the Calor Community Champion 2013 will receive €1,500 and a bursary of €7,500 to give to their nominated charity or local organisation. The two runners-up will each receive €500. Calor will even throw in €500 for the person or organisation that nominated them. Nominations to crown this year’s champion will close on September 30.  Calor will select the top 32 local champions, one from each county and put them to the public vote from October 4 through our Facebook app. The public will have close to four weeks to vote for their favourite and the top four local champions and two wildcards will make it through to the final phase.  
The winner will be chosen by our judging panel led by TV and radio personality, Síle Seoige, legendary GAA and sports broadcaster, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Mary Geraty from Calor. The Calor Community Champion 2013 will be announced on November 6.  
 
For information and to nominate your local champion, please visit and ‘like’ at www.facebook.com/calorireland.