Members of the public are being given the exciting opportunity to add a host of new names to the “who’s who?” list of Local Heroes that proudly adorn the iconic NewcastleGateshead quaysides in a series of bronze plaques.
The Hollywood-esque trail was opened in 2014 by Lady Elsie Robson, wife of the late Sir Bobby Robson. The trail currently features 25 celebrated names from the worlds of academia, entertainment, business, sport, science and the arts. They include Ant and Dec, Alan Shearer, Kathryn Tickell, Dame Margaret Barbour, Professor Peter Higgs and Sir Bobby Robson (a full list of the current recipients can be found in the Notes to Editor section of this press release).
The Local Heroes campaign is all about honouring those individuals who are either from the region, or have strong links to the area; and who have made a significant contribution to NewcastleGateshead – on a national or international level over the past 60-years.
NewcastleGateshead Local Heroes is delivered and managed jointly by Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council in partnership with destination marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
Cllr David Stockdale, cabinet member for communities and facilities, at Newcastle City Council, said: “The NewcastleGateshead Local Heroes plaques are a great idea as it provides an opportunity to honour local people and local achievements. It also acts as a wonderful tourism attraction for residents and visitors who want to take the walk of fame. The plaques are also a lasting and permanent tribute to everything that makes NewcastleGateshead such a wonderful place to be associated with.”
Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure at Gateshead Council, Cllr Gary Haley, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many amazing people having their achievements immortalised in this way on NewcastleGateshead’s Quayside. It really brings home to visitors and local people the talent, legacy and contribution of people from our region, not only in the North East, but also across the country and the world. I look forward to seeing what other names are put forward for the next phase of our Local Heroes walk.”
Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “It has been a pleasure watching Local Heroes grow year on year. Our local people are, and have been, key to moulding NewcastleGateshead into the destination it is today – from our warm Geordie welcome to our dynamic culture and thriving businesses. This project really helps to tell the destination’s story through our people. I therefore encourage the public to once again get behind the project and nominate your local hero.”
How to Vote:
Members of the public have from 1 February to 11 March to submit their ideas for new heroes that they would like to see added to the trail. The organisers would like to see nominations for the ‘heroes’ that have inspired local people with their achievements. Their nominations will be put to a panel who will then select up to six new heroes to be immortalised in bronze.
Local Heroes nomination cards are available to complete at libraries and customer contact centres across Newcastle and Gateshead (full details of participating centres can be found online at:www.NewcastleGateshead.com/
Online: www.NewcastleGateshead.com/
Via: Twitter and Instagram: #NGlocalheroes
By post: Gateshead Council, Council News FREEPOST NEA3381, Gateshead, NE8 1BR.